The 2024 Under-19 World Cup has been shifted from Sri Lanka to South Africa by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC Board decided in light of the administrative unpredictability in Sri Lankan cricket. On Tuesday, November 21, the ICC held its Board meeting in Ahmedabad.
The Board has opted to uphold the decision made on November 10th, which was to suspend the SLC, following careful consideration. The Board stated that although the island team’s cricket matches will go on as usual, the suspension will not be lifted.
“The board decided unanimously that the suspension cannot be removed. The nation’s cricket matches will go on as usual, a reliable source told Cricbuzz. The board meeting took place at ITC Narmada in Ahmedabad and was attended by Sammi Silva, the ICC’s president who was removed.
The dates of the Under-19 World Cup were set for January 14–February 15. The dates coincide with the second SA20 tournament, which takes place from January 10 to February 10. However, a senior official from Cricket South Africa (CSA) informed Cricbuzz that both competitions can be held concurrently because the T20 league is managed independently by a body separate from CSA. Oman and the United Arab Emirates were also explored as potential locations for the tournament, but South Africa ultimately won out due to its superior infrastructure. Oman only possesses one of the three grounds needed for the 50-over-14 team event. Moreover, it would have been costly to transfer the teams between the United Arab Emirates and Oman, therefore the Board ultimately decided on South Africa. Three locations will be set aside by CSA for the multi-nation competition.
The board also determined that, even with the SLC suspended, the Sri Lankan side will play international cricket. The game will be operated by the suspended SLC, which will be given restricted financial support. Although SLC CEO Silva believes the issue should have been averted, he also stated that cricket in the nation will go on as usual. “I have requested the ICC board to allow the game to continue and the members have upheld our request,” Silva stated to Cricbuzz. He also reaffirmed that the Sri Lanka Under-19 side will compete in the South Africa U-19 World Cup.
The suspension of SLC was due to meddling from the government. On November 10, following an unexpected virtual Board meeting, the decision was made. On Tuesday, the suspension was maintained. The ICC later released a statement in which it stated, “After considering SLC’s argument, the ICC Board determined that Sri Lanka may go on competing internationally in both bilateral cricket matches and ICC events. The country was suspended recently for violating its membership obligations, specifically, the need to run its affairs independently and free from interference from the government. Nonetheless, the ICC will be in charge of SLC’s financing.”