Former India all-rounder Yusuf Pathan who retired from all forms of cricket earlier this year has registered for the second edition of the Lanka Premier League.
A brute of a hitter of the cricket ball, Yusuf Pathan played for the India Legends in the Road Safety World series earlier this year after announcing his retirement.
The older of the Pathan brothers, Yusuf will look to find a spot in the competition. His younger brother Irfan Pathan was part of the inaugural edition as he plied his trade for the Kandy Tuskers.
Apart from Yusuf Pathan, star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has also registered for the upcoming edition of the LPL. Several other big names have also registered for the tournament.
South African white-ball skipper Temba Bavuma along with two of the South African leading spinners Keshav Maharaja and Tabraiz Shamsi has also registered their names for the competition.
Former South African speedster and currently an Australian citizen Morne Morkel has also made himself available for the tournament and will look to find a spot in any of the teams.
Among the Australian players, James Faulkner will be one of the most sought after players especially after his brilliance in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL).
His Australian mates Ben Dunk, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson have also registered their names for the event. Like most other T20 leagues across the world, the West Indies players will be a star attraction of the torment with several of them registering their names.
"Last year's success has certainly made a difference with more players from many cricket playing countries looking forward to play in the LPL, which is a very good sign for the League and Sri Lanka cricket." SLC Vice President Mr Ravin Wickremaratne was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
Here are some of the big names from different countries who have registered for this tournament
West Indies- Dwayne Smith, Sheldon Cottrell, Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Rampaul, Sherfane Rutherford, Rayad Emrit, Denesh Ramdin, Rovman Powell
Bangladesh- Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed, Liton Das, Mahmudullah
India- Yusuf Pathan
Australia- James Faulkner, Callum Ferguson, Ben Dunk, Usman Khawaja, Ben Cutting
South Africa: JJ Smuts, David Wiese, Morne Morke, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Samsi, Hardus Viljoen, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Keshav Maharaj
Pakistan- Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Sohain Maqsood, Shan Massod, Anwar Ali, Ammad Butt
Afghanistan- Naveen Ul Haq, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Shehzad, Hazratullah Zazai, Qais Ahmad, Usman Shinwari, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran.