ICC Suspends Sri Lanka Cricket Board Amid World Cup Woes

Sri Lanka's cricketing landscape finds itself mired in turmoil as the World Cup 2023 unfolds, marred by a series of disappointments that have culminated in the suspension of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board. Following a lackluster performance by the national team, all members of the board were summarily relieved of their duties, a move echoed by a judicial ousting on November 7. This dual blow led to the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspending the board, making Sri Lanka the second country to face such punitive action in the past four years.

In 2019, Zimbabwe suffered a similar fate when the ICC imposed a ban on its cricket board, citing government interference. The ghost of governmental meddling has revisited the cricketing world, this time afflicting Sri Lanka. The ICC is set to deliberate on the fate of the embattled Sri Lanka Cricket Board during its upcoming meeting scheduled for November 21.

ICC SUSPENDS SRI LANKAN CRICKET BOARD MEMBERSHIP....!!!!Sri Lanka won't be able to take part in any ICC events until ICC uplifts the ban. pic.twitter.com/B6r1kl3YJL

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 10, 2023

The ignominious chapter in Sri Lanka's cricketing history is underscored by the team's dismal performance in the World Cup. A pivotal moment occurred on November 2 in the 33rd league match against India, where the Sri Lankan team faced a resounding setback. They were dismissed for a paltry 55 runs, succumbing to a staggering 302-run loss. This abysmal display prompted the ire of Sri Lanka's Sports Minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, who, on November 6, took decisive action by ousting the entire Cricket Board. In a strategic move, former captain Arjuna Ranatunga, the iconic leader of Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup victory, was appointed as the interim head of the board.

Breaking News: The International Cricket Council has suspended Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership of the ICC with immediate effect due to government intervention. Massive 😱 #CWC23 #SAvsAFG pic.twitter.com/lDdxIqdOUN

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 10, 2023

Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign has been a rollercoaster of disappointment. The team commenced its journey with a disheartening loss to South Africa by 102 runs, setting the tone for a challenging tournament. Subsequent defeats to Pakistan and Australia, albeit with glimpses of resilience in victories against the Netherlands and England, painted a picture of inconsistency. However, the narrative took a darker turn with four consecutive losses to Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, leaving the Sri Lankan team in a precarious position.

- PTC PUNJABI