International Cricket Council suspends Sri Lanka's membership over ‘government interference’

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has suspended Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership with immediate effect, according to an official statement.

ICC said on Friday night that the Sri Lanka Cricket “had breached its obligations as a member, in particular the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and without government interference.”

The conditions of the suspension are set to be determined by the ICC Board, which will convene on Nov. 21. The meeting is expected to provide clarity on the future course of action.

The Sri Lanka men's team presently sits at no.9 in the points table in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to host the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup early next year.

The Island nation’s Ministry of Sports dismissed the Sri Lanka cricket board "to address the ongoing challenges within Sri Lanka Cricket," local media in Sri Lanka reported this week.

The decision was, however, stayed by Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal.