The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team is currently hosting the India National Cricket Team for a two-match Test series. Amidst this, the Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has invested in a franchise named Yarl Dinkers, which marks his first franchise investment. Pathirana has been a well-known name in the cricketing world, which will help the franchise grow as well.
Pathirana is currently not playing any form of cricket, as he underwent an open surgical repair for a left hamstring (biceps femoris) injury in France. He suffered the injury during the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He was ruled out of the competition citing the hamstring injury and is now recovering from the same.
Matheesha Pathirana buys Pickleball team
Matheesha Pathirana formed a partnership with his longtime manager and business associate, Amila Kalugalage, who is the managing partner of Dinkers. The two share a long relationship and will now have their team in the Ceylon Pickel League (CPL). Kalugalage will manage the strategic and commercial direction of the brand and its CPL franchise.
After investing in the franchise, Matheesha Pathirana stated that he wants the franchise to become a family, and the supporters should feel like it is their own team. He thanked everyone who has supported him through this journey. As a team, they are still building the franchise, and he wants everyone to support them as they grow.
“This is more than just a team. It is an idea I truly believe in,” Matheesha Pathirana said. “I want Yarl Dinkers to become a team that our supporters can proudly call their own, and I invite everyone who has supported my journey to rally around us and be part of what we are building.”
“Our ambition is to build Dinkers”: Amila Kalugalage on managing Yarl Dinkers
Amila Kalugalage, who is the managing partner of the franchise, stated that their ambition is to build the franchise into a strong sporting brand which will have a good name in the sporting fraternity. This franchise is just the beginning, as he and Matheesha Pathirana would like to create a franchise where the players and everyone on and off the field feel at home.
“Our ambition is to build Dinkers into a strong sporting brand with a clear identity and long-term purpose,” Kalugalage said. “Yarl Dinkers is the beginning of that journey, and we want to create a franchise that players, partners and supporters are proud to be associated with.”
What is CPL?
The Yarl Dinkers are now getting ready for the forthcoming CPL auction, as they will try to make the best squad and build a good fan community around the team.
The Ceylon Pickle League is Sri Lanka’s first major franchise-based pickleball league, which will bring players from all across the nation to feature in a fast-paced tournament.
The league, created through a partnership with Eventistry Sports and Colombo Pickle Club, is intended to expand the sport globally and also provide opportunities for participants and young people to play pickleball in Sri Lanka.