In a startling development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has taken the unprecedented step of suspending Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership from the ICC. The decision comes in response to what the ICC deems as serious breaches of its obligations by Sri Lanka Cricket, particularly in the area of autonomy. The primary concern revolves around the failure to manage its affairs independently, with a specific emphasis on preventing government interference in the regulation and administration of cricket in Sri Lanka. The conditions for the suspension will be defined by the ICC Board in the near future.
The ICC has already communicated this drastic decision to Sri Lanka Cricket, marking a significant setback for the country’s cricketing landscape. Further discussions and potential steps will be deliberated upon during the quarterly meeting scheduled for November 21. As a consequence of the suspension, Sri Lanka will lose eligibility to participate in any ICC tournaments and engage in bilateral series. The fate of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2024, slated to be hosted by Sri Lanka in January and February, will also be subject to consideration during the upcoming ICC Board meeting.
The suspension comes on the heels of an unexpected shake-up in Sri Lanka’s cricket administration. Sri Lanka’s sports minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, took the drastic step of dismissing the entire cricket board on Monday. In the wake of this move, former World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga was appointed to oversee cricket affairs. However, Sri Lanka’s apex court promptly reinstated the board and established an interim committee to manage ongoing operations.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Sri Lanka recently concluded their ICC ODI World Cup 2023 campaign on November 9 with a defeat to New Zealand, who emerged victorious by 5 wickets. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka fell short of qualifying for the knockout stage. The swift decision by the ICC to suspend Sri Lanka’s membership aims to ensure that the ongoing World Cup tournament experiences no interruptions.
As the cricketing world grapples with this unexpected development, the repercussions for Sri Lanka Cricket remain uncertain, with the potential for lasting consequences on the country’s participation in international cricket.
