The International Cricket Council (ICC Board unanimously decided on Tuesday to relocate the 2024 Men’s Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa. This move comes in the wake of the ICC’s suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) due to significant government interference in the board’s administration.
The decision is expected to have no immediate impact on the day-to-day operations of cricket. The ICC Board clarified that all levels of cricket, including bilateral and domestic series and tournaments, will continue without disruption during the suspension. However, the annual funding from the ICC for Sri Lanka will be closely monitored until the suspension is lifted.
In a media release, the ICC acknowledged representations from SLC and confirmed that Sri Lanka could still participate in international cricket, both bilaterally and in ICC events, despite the recent suspension. The suspension was a consequence of Sri Lanka breaching its obligations as an ICC Member, specifically the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and without government interference.
The SLC President, Shammi Silva, had previously warned that the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, scheduled for January, was at risk of being moved unless the ICC was satisfied that the Sri Lankan government wasn’t interfering in the board’s operations, a violation of the ICC constitution. Tensions between the SLC and the country’s sports minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, have been ongoing, with accusations of corruption and mismanagement on one side and allegations of government meddling on the other.
In November 2022, Silva informed the ICC of government interference, prompting the ICC Board to send its deputy chairman, Imran Khawaja, to Sri Lanka to investigate the situation and establish the facts surrounding the conflict.
The decision to relocate the Under-19 World Cup reflects the ICC’s commitment to maintaining the autonomy of its member boards and ensuring that the principles outlined in its constitution are upheld. The tournament will now find a new home in South Africa, and cricket enthusiasts eagerly await further updates on this development.
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ICC Suspends Sri Lanka Cricket: Immediate Effect | News Karnataka
