Iftikhar Ahmed Signs For 2 LPL 2026 Teams In Just 4 Days

Iftikhar Ahmed with Babar Azam in PSL (Source: AFP Photos)

Iftikhar Ahmed did something unusual that the cricketing world had not been aware of in the past. Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder, who has not been in the mix of things lately, signed contracts with two Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 teams within four days.

On August 2, Iftikhar Ahmed signed for Dambulla Sixers in LPL 2026. Within a day, Sixers were knocked out of the competition after their match against Jaffna Kings was washed out due to rain. In the process, Dambulla finished bottom of the LPL 2026 points table, with two wins and five defeats.

Fast forward to August 5, Iftikhar moved on and decided to join another LPL team, that too for the ongoing edition of the competition. He will now play for Kandy Royals in LPL 2026.

Iftikhar Ahmed To Play LPL 2026 Playoffs

LPL 2026 is a five-team competition, and four of them qualify for the playoffs. While Dambulla Sixers were out of the ongoing edition, Kandy, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, finished just above them to advance to the next round.

Iftikhar, as confirmed by Pakistan’s reputed media house CricHive, will play LPL 2026 now alongside Hasanranga and his boys.

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LPL 2026 Eliminator will be played later on Wednesday (August 5), with Kandy facing Colombo Kaps at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Iftikhar, if things go with the plan, is expected to play there.

LPL 2026 playoffs is currently underway, with Galle Gallants and Jaffna Kings going up against each other in Qualifier 1.

Iftikhar Ahmed's Recent Stats

Iftikhar was last in action during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. There, he only lost his wicket once in five innings, striking at 172.22 for 72 runs. With the ball, he was more impactful, having taken 12 wickets in 10 matches at an economy rate of only 7.60.

Prior to PSL 2026, Iftikhar played National T20 Cup and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). There, he was below par with both bat and ball. However, things improved significantly under the leadership of Babar Azam when he was in action for Peshawar Zalmi in Pakistan Super League.

When Did Iftikhar Ahmed Last Play LPL?

Iftikhar played in LPL back in 2023. He was with Colombo Kaps back then. There, he had a miserable campaign, striking at just over 60 after 25 runs across four innings. With the ball, he took two wickets in as many matches.

A veteran of four Tests, 28 ODIs and 66 T20Is for Pakistan, Iftikhar’s last match for the country came back in 2024. It was a India vs Pakistan match at New York during the T20 World Cup.

There, Iftikhar bowled one over and gave up only seven runs for no wicket. With the bat, he made five off 9 deliveries before Jasprit Bumrah got the better of him.

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