KXIP set to acquire St Lucia franchise of Caribbean Premier League

Kings XI Punjab is set to acquire St Lucia franchise of Caribbean Premier League, becoming second IPL team to own a CPL outfit after Kolkata Knight Riders. "We are about to sign an agreement to be part of CPL. We are getting St Lucia franchise. structure and name of company will only be communicated after we get BCCI's approval," KXIP co-owner Ness Wadia told PTI on Monday.

"Mohit Burman (co-owner) is in Caribbean at moment to sign agreement. We want to especially thank Prime Minister of St Lucia Allan Chastanet and Tourism Minister Dominic Fedde for making this possible. We have been pursuing this for almost nine months," added Wadia.

St Lucia Zouks is one of six teams competing in CPL. team is led by former West Indies captain Darren Sammy. Ar Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders had acquired Trinbago Knight Riders in 2015. It is most successful CPL franchise till date, having won three titles. St Lucia's best performance till date came in 2016 when it finished fourth.

Caribbean Premier League, which began in 2013, is among established T20 leagues in world. Pete Russell, Chief Operating Officer of Hero CPL, said, "We are hugely excited to welcome this ownership team to CPL family and we are looking forward to seeing where y take Zouks during upcoming season and beyond.

"y bring with m a wealth of experience which is fantastic news for both CPL and St Lucia as a whole." St Lucia Prime Minister Chastanet also welcomed development. "I welcome new owners of Saint Lucia Zouks and hope that ir new energy and drive will inspire team to excel," said Chastanet.

"Saint Lucians continue to root for Zouks and we are encourd by confidence that Mr Mohit Burman and his team have placed in players and Saint Lucia," he added. 2020 CPL will be held from August 19 to September 26. IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore's former owner Vijay Mallya had lost ownership of CPL team Barbados Tridents last year.