The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) is leaving no stone unturned to make national team’s world cup campaign a memorable for everyone. Even though the country is still mourning the loss of 250 lives (Previously it was 350+, then suddenly government reduced death tally to 250) in the deadly Easter bomb blasts, SLC are spending lavishly to make it a grand event. Accordingly, 45 board ExCo members and stakeholders (30+15) are gearing up to watch the mega event starting from May 30, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Sri Lanka to begin their campaign against New Zealand on June 1.
According to sources, SLC President Shammi Silva has managed 30 free tickets for the ExCo members and stakeholders.
“The president has secured 30 free tickets, so the board will have to bear the cost of approximately 15 tickets only, excluding the travel cost” a top SLC official told Cricket Age.
Sri Lanka team to inter into the world cup as 9th ODI ranked team, with only Afghanistan are behind. However, even Afghanistan are playing better cricket than Sri Lanka at the moment, as the rising team comfortably defeated strong Pakistan in a warm up match on Friday.
For Sri Lanka, test opener Dimuth Karunaratne has been named captain for the mega event and both Sports Ministry and Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) have the belief that the team, coached by million dollars paid coach Chandika Hathurasingha, has the capacity to qualify for the semifinals.
The confidence of SLC and Sports Ministry is that much high after Sri Lanka’s thumping win against Scotland in the second ODI that they even launched a theme song for Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign on Friday, that cost 6 million (3.5 million for song + 1.5 million for launching + VAT) rupees.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup fixtures
1 June: Vs New Zealand at Cardiff
4 June: Vs Afghanistan at Cardiff
7 June: Vs Pakistan at Bristol
11 June: Vs Bangladesh at Bristol
15 June: Vs Australia at The Oval
21 June: Vs England at Leeds
28 June: Vs South Africa at Chester-Le-Street
1 July: Vs West Indies at Chester-Le-Street
6 July: Vs India at Leeds
