Sri Lanka Cricket On ICC’s Ban & U19 World Cup Relocation To SA

image-lp8ghv92Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC)

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Mr. Shammi Silva has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to grant them additional time for the Sri Lankan government to rectify their error. Last week, the ICC had suspended the SLC owing to the political interference from Sri Lankan government in their cricketing affairs.

In spite of SLC President’s request, the ICC is not willing to grant any additional period, stating that ample time had already been granted to the Sri Lankan government for rectifying the issue.

SLC suspension set to continue, can play bilateral series

The Sri Lankan Minister of Sports had appointed an interim committee in SLC. The ICC viewed the same as a political interference, which subsequently prompted them to suspend the SLC administration until the committee is replaced or ousted.

Moreover, on November 21, the ICC also relocated the hosting rights of the forthcoming 2024 Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa. The apex body will likely reschedule the ICC Annual Conference as well. The conference, as of now, is slated to be held in July 2024 in Colombo.

The ICC, however, will continue to recognize SLC President Shammi Silva as SLC’s board representative for the time being.

Silva had already made an appeal to the ICC regarding Sri Lanka’s cricketing schedule. In turn, the international body has now allowed Sri Lankan cricket team to participate in international bilateral or ICC events in spite of their active suspension.

Sri Lankan team is on course to host Zimbabwe and Afghanistan for a home series in January 2024, before they will depart to Bangladesh for an all-format tour the following month.