India agree to tour Sri Lanka in August
Image : Collected
|| Desk Report ||
The Island, an English language-based national daily of Sri Lanka claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to tour Sri Lanka on the basis of getting clearance from the government.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was in fear of not hosting any matches amid the fear of the coronavirus pandemic. Almost every match was going to wash out for which the BCCI was having a dilemma of not travelling to Sri Lanka for their series including three ODIs and T20s which was scheduled to be played in June.
But the negotiations between BCCI and SLC turned all the uncertainty, because BCCI is now willing to send off their team in August after the Indian government gives their clearance about the series, such a report published by the Island today.
The SLC will negotiate the details about the tour with BCCI after they get their permission to host bilateral cricket from the Ministry of Sports.
An official of SLC said that they are planning not to have the matches in complete closed doors besides they are planning to have 30-40 per cent spectators following the hygiene rules though the final call will be made by the health officials.
“Ideally, we would want to fill up 30 to 40 percent of the venues. Spectators can maintain the one meter distance and watch games. However, the final call will be made by health officials. We will follow all their instructions,” he said.
On the other hand, SLC has also expressed their willingness to host the six-nation Asia Cup tournament, which was scheduled to be played in Pakistan this year.
SLC has also confirmed this that they already had a conversation with Pakistan cricket board about it and they didn’t oppose the decision amid the current COVID-19 situation.
“We had a discussion with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and they have already agreed to our hosting this edition due to the present world situation,” Shammi Silva was quoted as saying by Sri Lankan media outlet ‘Ceylon Today’.
“We had an online ACC meeting and they basically gave us the green light to host the tournament,” he added.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka has postponed their Test series against England and the limited-overs series against South Africa; however, SLC has confirmed that this series will now take place next year.
But there is no confirmation on whether the three-match Test series against Bangladesh will go ahead as per schedule or postponed. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) earlier said they will come up with a decision within this week about their tour to Sri Lanka.
