Dambulla Sixers Sign Sikandar Raza After Player Replacement Updates
Sikandar Raza has joined the Dambulla Sixers’ squad for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, with the team confirming his arrival on July 27 as an injured replacement for Marques Ackerman. Raza’s debut for the team did not go as planned: he scored 23 off 25 balls and went wicketless in his four overs in a defeat that extended Dambulla’s losing streak to three games.
Dambulla now has five defeats from six round-robin matches, putting playoff qualification out of reach.
Their final group game against Jaffna Kings on August 2 is a must-win, and they will also need other results to go their way to get to the knockout stage. Raza’s signing is one of several lineup adjustments confirmed by LPL 2026 franchises as the competition nears its conclusion.
The Dambulla-based team has also added Sonal Dinusha, while Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi has left for national duty following the loss to Colombo Kaps.
What squad changes have the Colombo Kaps and Galle Gallants confirmed?
Colombo Kaps have made a number of roster changes. Kushal Bhurtel, who was anticipated to join the franchise, will not be joining after all, allowing Crishan Kalugamage, who was previously on a temporary basis, to stay with the team till the completion of the campaign. Ashen Bandara has taken over as cover for the injured Kusal Mendis.
On the bowling front, Hasan Mahmud has been summoned by Bangladesh for national duty, and Ripon Mondol, also from Bangladesh, has been brought in as a replacement.
Galle Gallants stated on Wednesday that Chris Lynn and Mehidy Hasan Miraz had left Sri Lanka. Lynn had been hindered by an injury that held him out of a few games early in the tournament, and he was unable to recover.
Mehidy was always expected to withdraw early from the competition, and Australia’s Thomas Rogers has stepped in to replace him. Earlier in the tournament, Kavija Gamage had joined the Galle squad to replace the injured Vishen Halambage.
How has Towhid Hridoy’s presence affected the Jaffna Kings’ playoff push?
Towhid Hridoy was called in as a replacement for his Bangladesh teammate Taskin Ahmed, who withdrew due to a national call-up. Hridoy made an immediate impact, striking 35 off 21 balls in one appearance and a stunning 31 off only 8 balls in the next.
Those innings have helped Jaffna climb from the bottom of the LPL 2026 standings to a guaranteed playoff spot. Their final group game, on August 2, is against Dambulla, a game with significantly greater importance for the Sixers, who must win and pray for fortunate outcomes elsewhere to keep their slender knockout aspirations alive.
