Sangakkara signs for Jamaica Tallawahs

Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara is set to join the Jamaica Tallawahs for the final stretch of the Caribbean Premier League. The 35-year-old replaces Pakistan top-order batsman Ahmed Shehzad, who will join the Pakistan squad in Zimbabwe.

"I did not expect to be playing the CPL this year, but when Muralitharan telephoned and asked whether I might be interested in playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs, I jumped at the chance," Sangakkara said. "To play alongside Murali again will, of course, be a great privilege and it will also be very exciting to bat with Chris [Gayle] rather than being his opponent. The Tallawahs have had a great season thus far and I hope I can make a positive contribution as we seek to win the inaugural tournament."

Sangakkara is the fourth Sri Lanka player to join the CPL following the signings of Muttiah Muralitharan (Jamaica Tallawahs), Mahela Jayawardene (Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel) and Lasith Malinga (Guyana Amazon Warriors).

Jamaica are currently placed third in the points table and have booked a semi-final berth. Their match against T&T on Sunday will decide their semi-final opponent.

The other T20 franchises Sangakkara has played for are Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Kandurata Maroons and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was a part of the winning squad of Kandurata in the recent Sri Lanka Super Fours T20 Tournament.

He has 3481 runs in 138 T20 matches at an average of 28.53 and strike rate of 124.76, and has 20 fifties to his name.