ICC shifts 2024 U-19 World Cup out of Sri Lanka to South Africa after confirming suspension of SLC

In another blow to Sri Lankan cricket on Tuesday, the ICC decided to shift next year’s U-19 World Cup out of the island nation and named South Africa as the new hosts of the tournament.

The ICC’s latest decision effectively confirms its suspension of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) owing to political interference following a meeting that took place after the ICC World Cup final between India and Australia.

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board met today and confirmed the terms of the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). After hearing representation from SLC, the ICC Board decided that Sri Lanka can continue to compete internationally both in bilateral cricket and ICC events after being suspended recently for breaching its obligations as a Member in particular the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and without government interference,” the ICC wrote in a release on Tuesday.

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“However, funding to SLC will be controlled by the ICC and the ICC Board confirmed Sri Lanka will no longer host the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024, which will now be held in South Africa,” added the global body.

The entire board of the Shammi Silva-led board had been sacked by Sri Lanka sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe following the team’s 302-run hammering at the hands of India in the recently-concluded ICC World Cup, only for the decision to be overturned by Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeals.

Members of the Sri Lankan parliament would also back Ranasinghe’s decision and call for the board to resign.

It was, in fact, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that had reached out to the ICC and notified about the government interference in the running of the sport in the country after being knocked out in the league stage of the just-concluded World Cup following a forgettable outing.

The SLC and the country’s sports ministry have been at loggerheads for some time now. The government had accused SLC officials of being involved in corruption and mismanagement.

SLC president Shammi Silva had recently warned that the country could lose the hosting rights of the U-19 World Cup, scheduled to be held from January 13 to February 4, if the government’s interference continued.

In a statement released on Monday, SLC had said, “While SLC focuses on resolving the suspension issue, it appears that the minister of sports is pursuing a different agenda through media manipulation without pursuing legal avenues to address the allegations.”

“This raises concerns about its intention to influence public opinion and other stakeholders to achieve its objective of taking control of SLC through the misuse of his powers.

“SLC calls for a fair and unbiased examination of the facts and remains focused on its mission to uphold the integrity of cricket in Sri Lanka and is confident that the truth will prevail in due course.”

With inputs from PTI