As many as 93 international cricketers have been listed to take part in the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 in Sri Lanka, beginning August 28.

This list includes England's 2019 World Cup-winning pacer Liam Plunkett, New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee, Pakistan's veteran batsman Mohammad Hafeez and opener from West Indies, Dwayne Smith, says the report in the Ceylon Today.

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Further, according to the report, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has awarded "total rights" of the LPL for five years to Dubai-based sports broadcasting company, Innovative Production Group (IPG).

23 matches will be played in the five-team tournament across four different international venues in the Island nation, namely R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium.

"IPG has total rights over ground, production, franchises and TV rights of the tournament where they pay USD 2 million annually for the said rights," the report said.

"It’s now up to IPG and franchises to finalise their players via negotiations with the players, or any other suitable method, and SLC will not be further involved in the matter."

It was also reported that "a total of 30 international cricketers (six each per franchise) and five coaches will be selected for the league", with the teams making up the rest of their squads from the pool of 130 local players. 

"A Sri Lankan icon player would get a salary cap of USD 60,000, while a top cricketer would be in the range of USD 50,000 to 40,000. Others would fit into the USD 40,000 to 30,000 and USD 20,000 to 10,000 ranges, depending on their stature."

“International players are expected to be in the USD 10,000 to 60,000 range.”

Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna are the cities that the five teams will be named after. 

(Inputs from PTI)