The landscape of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) has witnessed a major ownership shift as Swedish enterprise Anchor Sports completed the acquisition of the Jaffna Kings franchise. Joining this new ownership group is former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan, who comes onboard as a co-owner. Following the takeover, the team has been officially rebranded as Anchor Jaffna Kings to mark a fresh chapter under new management. Nagendra Siddoutam, owner of Anchor Sports, will steer the franchise alongside Zaheer Khan as joint leaders of the team's operations and strategic direction.
Franchise Dominance and Welcome from League Management
Jaffna Kings stand out as the most decorated franchise in the six-year history of the Lanka Premier League. Over the past six seasons, the side has captured the LPL championship four times, establishing a benchmark of success and setting numerous league records. Welcoming the new owners, Innovative Production Group Chairman and CEO Anil Mohan extended a warm reception to Anchor Sports as they assume leadership of the successful franchise. Expressing confidence in the new arrangement, he noted that the league is excited about this fresh journey and fully expects Anchor Sports to sustain and build upon Jaffna's exceptional winning tradition.
Zaheer Khan on His New Role and Connection to Sri Lankan Cricket
Expressing his enthusiasm about stepping into a franchise ownership role, former Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan highlighted his deep fondness for cricket in the island nation. He stated, "I have always admired the talent, innovation, and variety among Sri Lankan bowlers." Recalling his playing days, Zaheer noted that Sri Lanka holds many fond memories for him as a venue where he competed extensively during his international career. He expressed immense joy at returning to Sri Lankan cricket in an administrative capacity as a team owner and shared his eagerness to begin working closely with the Anchor Jaffna Kings setup.
LPL 2026 Campaign and Pursuit of a Fifth Title
On the field, Jaffna Kings have enjoyed a stellar run throughout the ongoing LPL 2026 season. Under the leadership of captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa, the team delivered strong performances across the league stage, securing victory in 5 of their 8 matches. They suffered only 2 defeats, while 1 fixture ended without a result due to persistent rain. Accumulating 11 points from their campaign, Jaffna Kings finished at the top of the points table to secure smooth passage into the playoff round. With new ownership behind them, the franchise is now firmly focused on clinching its fifth LPL trophy.
