T20 World Cup 2024: Sri Lanka file official complaint over 'different treatment'

Sri Lanka have officially complained to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over their T20 World Cup team’s treatment and conditions in the USA .

Country’s Sports Minister Harin Fernando alleged that other teams had it better and said Sri Lanka had lodged a formal protest after the squad was held up by a seven-hour flight delay in Miami before their trip to New York for the clash against South Africa.

To add to Sri Lanka’s woes, they have been given accommodation more than 90 minutes’ drive from the practice stadium in New York. He said the Indian cricket team had been put up much closer. Pakistan, who were also booked an-hour-and-half away, shifted base closer to the venue.

Sri Lanka’s campaign in the T20 World Cup got underway in dreadful manner. They were dismissed for just 77 runs and went on to lose to South Africa by six wickets on Monday.

“Sri Lanka Cricket has complained to the ICC,” Fernando told parliament.

“Different countries are being treated differently. We have called for an explanation from the organisers of the tournament.”

Sri Lanka’s sports ministry has dispatched an officer to the United States to look into the welfare of the team, Fernando added.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said Sri Lanka’s parliament was united in being upset with the ICC over the supposed conditions.

“We stand against this injustice, we should not allow this,” he said.

Angelo Mathews, a former captain and current member of Sri Lanka’s T20 squad, told broadcaster Ada Derana TV the past few days had been “most challenging”.

“Practice facilities are not good. Wickets are not good. Last four to five days have been very challenging for us,” he said.

“We had to cancel practices because a flight was delayed.

“We are not going to use this as an excuse, we are a team that has won despite obstacles. We want to put all this behind us and do well at the next match.”

Sri Lanka’s next game is against Bangladesh on Saturday.