The ICC Board has immediately suspended the membership of Sri Lanka Cricket, citing interference as the reason. In a statement released on Friday, the ICC expressed that Sri Lanka Cricket violated its obligations, specifically the mandate to autonomously manage its affairs without government intervention.
The ICC Board will determine the conditions of the suspension in the coming period, according to the statement. This action follows the dismissal of the national cricket board by Sri Lanka’s sports minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, on Monday, following a disheartening loss to India in the World Cup. However, the Sri Lanka Court of Appeal overturned the sports minister’s decision the next day, reinstating the expelled officials pending a full hearing.
Earlier this week, the Sri Lankan parliament called for the resignation of the cricket board, accusing it of unprecedented corruption involving millions of dollars.
The ICC Board is slated to convene on November 21, providing clarity on the future course of action. Sri Lanka is expected to host the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in January and February 2024.
The Sri Lankan cricket team had a less-than-memorable stint at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, securing only two wins. They currently hold the eighth position in the points table.
If Fakhar Zaman Stays For 30 Overs, We Can Achieve Required NRR For Semi-Final: Babar Azam
Meanwhile, Pakistani skipper Babar Azam expressed determination to reach the semi-finals, outlining a plan to chase the target within 20 to 30 overs. During a press conference in India, he emphasized the team’s focus on achieving a favorable net run rate, stating, “If Fakhar plays 20 or 30 overs, then we can achieve this net run rate.”
Acknowledging the team’s subpar performance in various aspects, Babar Azam recognized the unpredictable nature of cricket and expressed the team’s commitment to concluding their journey on a positive note. He emphasized the importance of winning the matches against Afghanistan and South Africa.
While admitting that his performance was not at its best, Babar Azam refuted claims of being under pressure. He noted that advice was readily available but stressed the team’s reliance on the coaches and captain for decisions regarding the best combination.
Focusing on the upcoming match, Babar Azam stated that he would assess the future of his captaincy later. He also reflected on the team’s inability to meet expectations and emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes.
