ICC shifts Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa. The ICC Board unanimously decided to relocate the 2024 men’s Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa due to extensive government interference in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board’s administration, resulting in the ICC’s provisional suspension of SLC. This decision, made after considering SLC’s representation, permits Sri Lanka to participate in international cricket while suspended, with no immediate disruptions expected in daily cricket operations.

ICC shifts Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa

Cricket activities at all levels, including bilateral, domestic series, and tournaments, will proceed uninterrupted despite the suspension. However, the ICC will oversee the control of annual funding until the suspension is lifted. After hearing from SLC, the move to shift the tournament was confirmed in a media release by the ICC. The SLC president, Shammi Silva, had previously cautioned about the tournament’s potential relocation unless the ICC was assured of the government’s non-interference in the board’s affairs, which is a violation of the ICC constitution.

This conflict arose amid tensions between the SLC and the country’s sports minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, involving accusations of corruption and mismanagement within the cricket board. Ranasinghe has been accused of meddling with cricket affairs, while Silva and SLC have countered with allegations of governmental interference.