As an injured substitute for Marques Ackerman, Sikandar Raza has joined the Dambulla Sixers roster for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026. The team confirmed his arrival on July 27. Sikandar Raza debut for the team did not go as planned; in a loss that extended Dambulla’s losing streak to three straight games, he scored 23 off 25 balls while going wicketless in his four overs.
Dambulla now has five losses out of six round-robin games, so they are no longer in control of making the playoffs. They must defeat Jaffna Kings in their last group match on August 2 in order to advance to the knockout stages. They also need other outcomes to go their way.
As the competition draws to a close, Sikandar Raza signing is one of several squad adjustments announced by LPL 2026 teams.
Sonal Dinusha has also joined the Dambulla-based team, and after the defeat to Colombo Kaps, Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi left for national duty.
What roster adjustments have the Galle Gallants and Colombo Kaps confirmed?
The Colombo Kaps have updated their roster in a number of ways. Crishan Kalugamage, who was previously on a temporary contract, will stay with the team till the end of the competition because Kushal Bhurtel, who had been anticipated to join the team, would not be joining after all. The injured Kusal Mendis has been replaced by Ashen Bandara.
Regarding bowling, Bangladesh has brought in Ripon Mondol, another Bangladeshi, to replace Hasan Mahmud, who was called up due to national obligations. Chris Lynn and Mehidy Hasan Miraz left Sri Lanka, the Galle Gallants confirmed on Wednesday. Early in the tournament, Lynn was unable to regain his fitness due to an injury that held him out of a few games.
Australia’s Thomas Rogers has stepped in to replace Mehidy, who was always expected to leave the competition early. Kavija Gamage had previously joined the Galle team earlier in the competition to replace the injured Vishen Halambage.
How has the Jaffna Kings’ postseason run been impacted by Towhid Hridoy’s arrival?
Towhid Hridoy was brought in by Jaffna Kings earlier in the competition to replace his Bangladeshi teammate Taskin Ahmed, who had withdrawn due to a national call-up. Hridoy made an immediate impression by hitting 35 off 21 balls in one game and an incredible 31 off just 8 balls in another. Jaffna has risen from the bottom of the LPL 2026 rankings to a guaranteed playoff spot thanks to those innings.
The Sixers must defeat Dambulla in their last group encounter on August 2 in order to maintain their slender chances of qualifying for the playoffs. This game carries much more pressure for the Sixers.
