Misfortune Hits Dambulla Sixers; LPL Side Knocked Out Hours After PAK Star's Signing

Iftikhar Ahmed [Source: x]

The Dambulla Sixers franchise has been eliminated from the playoffs race of the LPL 2026 season in Sri Lanka. Notably, the franchise got knocked out of the tournament mere hours after signing in Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed. 

The 35-year-old was roped in by the franchise earlier on Sunday, August 2, as a replacement of Ireland-bound Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Iftikhar Ahmed joins Dambulla Sixers; Teams Gets Knocked Out

Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed joined the Dambulla Sixers franchise on August 2 in Sri Lanka. However, later in the day, the franchise got knocked out of the LPL 2026 playoffs race. 

Taking on Jaffna Kings in a must-win match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the Sixers franchise batted first and mounted 203-8 in 20 overs. Pavan Rathnayake and captain Dinesh Chandimal top-scored with swift 40s in the high-scoring innings. 

Also Read- Shaheen Afridi Exits LPL 2026 Mid-Tournament After Alleging Match-Fixing

Requiring to defeat table-toppers Jaffna Kings in their final league match of the season, the latter’s run chase never took off owing to persistent rains at the venue. As a result, both sides shared a point each, with Dambulla Sixers getting stranded at five points from eight matches with two wins and five defeats.

They eventually concluded their LPL 2026 season at the bottom of the five-team points table. 

It is worth noting that even though Iftikhar Ahmed was roped in by the Sixers franchise earlier in the day, the Pakistan all-rounder failed to find a place in the team’s playing XI in their most important match of the season. 

In any case, the Pakistan all-rounder’s arrival ultimately had no bearing on Dambulla Sixers' campaign, as the franchise was eliminated from the playoffs race just hours after announcing his signing.

How did Dambulla Sixers fared in LPL 2026

Dambulla Sixers, under the leadership of senior wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Chandimal, started off the LPL 2026 season with an emphatic 18-run win over Kandy Royals in Colombo last month.

However, the franchise managed to secure just one additional victory over its next six matches. Requiring to defeat table-toppers Jaffna Kings on the final day of the league stage, a rain-induced no-result kept the Sixers below Kandy Royals to finish fifth on the five-team LPL 2026 standings. 

Iftikhar Ahmed remains out of Pakistan contention

While the weather gods curtailed Iftikhar Ahmed’s LPL 2026 participation, the senior all-rounder also continues to remain out of contention from the Pakistan national side. 

The cricketer last played any form of international cricket for Pakistan way back in June 2024 during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA. 

Ahmed, however, recently played a key role for the Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi franchise in the PSL 2026 season earlier this year. The cricketer scored 62 runs at a prolific average of 62 and an astonishing strike rate of 172.22 in the tournament, and also picked up 12 wickets in the process at an average of just 19.75.

Also Read- Abhishek Sharma Ignored As North Zone Name Surprise Captain For Duleep Trophy 2026