As the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) prepares to get underway, the Saint Lucia Kings have made a major move to strengthen their title defense, announcing the addition of five impactful international players to their upcoming campaign. These new international recruits will join a core group of 13 locally selected West Indian players that the franchise, nicknamed the “Boys in Blue,” locked in earlier this year, completing the full squad for the season.
Leading the group of returning fan favorites is Afghan left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad, who was instrumental to the Kings claiming their maiden CPL championship title in 2024. During that title-winning run, Ahmad delivered a standout performance, claiming 22 wickets throughout the tournament — including several crucial breakthroughs in the final held in Guyana. After opting to skip the 2025 CPL to compete in other global T20 franchise leagues, his return is widely viewed as a major boost to the side’s title defense hopes.
New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert is also making his way back to the Saint Lucia franchise for the upcoming season. A veteran of CPL competition, Seifert turned heads with his explosive batting in the 2025 tournament, hitting a blistering century off just 40 deliveries at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. That innings tied Andre Russell’s 2018 record for the fastest hundred in CPL history, cementing Seifert’s reputation as one of the most dangerous hitters in the league.
The Kings have also added two top-tier Sri Lankan international talents to their batting and bowling lineups: Maheesh Theekshana and Charith Asalanka. Theekshana, a world-class spin bowler, brings elite versatility and consistent performance to both powerplay and death over scenarios, giving the franchise a match-winning weapon across all stages of an innings. Asalanka, meanwhile, adds valuable depth to the batting order and brings proven captaincy experience to the dressing room, a quality that franchise leaders expect will pay dividends throughout the busy tournament schedule.
Completing the five-player group of overseas signings is United States-based fast bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk. The speedster is expected to thrive in the seam-friendly conditions that characterize Saint Lucia’s home ground at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, and will look to use the CPL platform to showcase his talents on a global franchise stage.
Below is the full confirmed 18-player squad for the Saint Lucia Kings ahead of the 2026 CPL season: Roston Chase, Jewel Andrew, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Darron Nedd, Mckenny Clarke, Joshua Bishop, Damion Joachim, Keon Gaston, Amari Goodridge, Johann Jeremiah, Ackeem Auguste, Noor Ahmad, Tim Seifert, Maheesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, Shadley van Schalkwyk.