Lanka Premier League 2023: Match 1 JK vs CS; 3 players to watch out for

On Sunday, July 30, the three-time champion Jaffna Kings and the Colombo Stars will face off at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo to begin the Lanka Premier League 2023 (LPL 2023) season. Jaffna Kings will be aiming to make a strong start to the new season in a rematch of the LPL 2022 final game.

Both the teams look solid on the papers but the teams will be needing to perform out on the grounds to set this match into a thunderous tournament opener. The Sri Lankan veteran Thisara Perera will be leading the Jaffna Kings whereas the Colombo Stars will be led by the skipper of the Pakistan team, Babar Azam.

Three players to watch out for in the tournament opener: 

3. Mahesh Theekshana

Maheesh Theekshana (Source: Twitter)

Mahesh Theekshana is one such spinner in the current international circuit who has troubled the batters and one certainly does not feel comfortable facing him. The Sri Lankan mystery spinner was in a different league altogether in the recently concluded ODI World Cup Qualifiers picking up 21 wickets in just eight outings.

However, in the Lanka Premier League the mystery spinner did not have that success as in the 19 Innings so far, Theekshana has managed to pick up 26 wickets at an economy of 6.72.

2. Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana (Source: Twitter)

Matheesha Pathirana is among the best death overs bowler going around in the current international circuit. The 20-year-old speedster came to light after his brilliant outing in the U-19 World Cup playing for Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan pacer will also be playing his first season in the Lanka Premier League.

Pathirana was sublime with the ball in the recently concluded Indian Premier League as the right-arm fast bowler went on to pick 21 wickets in the 14 outings that he had for the Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings at an economy of 7.96 and an average of 20.14.

1. Babar Azam

Babar Azam (Source: Twitter)

One of the most famous and among the modern era greats who has proved his mettle across all formats of the game. The right-hand batter has even surprised many with his fluent batting and run-making ability on a constant basis. The Pakistan skipper will be featuring for the first time in the Lanka Premier League as the star Pakistan opener was selected by the Colombo Stars and will also be seen leading the side.

The flamboyant Pakistan batter has played 104 runs in the international arena so far and has gone on to score 3485 runs at an average of 41.49 including three centuries to his name.