In Sri Lanka, it seems that now political leaders are running the game of cricket, Instead of International Cricket Council (ICC) authorized Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). However, as same these politicians did with the politics of the Island, they are more eager to destroy the most cherished game of Sri Lanka, Instead of contributing in it’s progress! In particular, MP Nalin Bandara’s some of the recent comments on Asia Cup suggests that either he has lost his senses, or he has been remote controlled by someone!
Even though the politics is still in shambles in Sri Lanka (also the country itself), it’s politicians are more concerned about the cricket these days. So much so that, Nalin Bandara, In particular, talks only about cricket whenever he gets an opportunity, that too in parliament. It seems that, he has Instructed by someone to deliberately tarnish the name of Sri Lanka in World Cricket!
And, it’s Indeed nothing sort of tarnishing Sri Lanka Cricket, because whatever he is talking about Asia Cup shifting to UAE, is utter rubbish and non factual.
So, after making false claims few weeks ago about SLC deprived the Island from earning USD 50 Million by shifting the tournament to UAE, now he has lied once again, and this time also in parliament, by repeating his claims that Sri Lanka tourism lost big opportunity and SLC is responsible for selling Asia Cup to UAE!
In his false narrative, Bandara easily forgot that his country is still in nationwide shortage of petrol! Long queues have been once again visible. And to make things worse, it’s rainy season in Sri Lanka.
“It would have been a complete mess for broadcasters, Sponsors and Cricket fans alike to play Asia Cup here, as it’s monsoon season” a Sri Lanka cricket expert told Cricket Age.
Another lie Bandara is frequently uttering about Indian cricket fans arrival in Sri Lanka if Asia Cup world have been in Sri Lanka. According to him, thousands of Indians were expected to tour Sri Lanka for the tournament, and especially for their clash against arch rival Pakistan.
“Avoid non-essential travel to Sri Lanka’: India had issued advisory to it’s citizens a month ago.
But, it seems that Bandara is more informed about Indians arrival, than their own country’s government!
Not only Indian Government, Bandara is in a spree to dismiss Asian Cricket Council (ACC) also.
“They claim countries such as India and Pakistan had refused to play in Sri Lanka. This is a blatant lie as no participating nation had refused to play in Sri Lanka,” he had alleged.
However, Cricket Age has ACC president Jay Shah’s letter, which has been sent to Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister also, that says
“As the Asia Cup has not been held in the last three years, the board members, keeping in mind the vital revenue generation requirement of the ACC to promote cricket in Asia in the years to come and taking into account the reluctance and hesitation of the members to play Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, have unanimously decided to shift the venue to UAE”.
Now, these are the words of ACC president Jay Shah! And, ACC has 25 members! Still Bandara is keep telling lie that Asia Cup was shifted to UAE by SLC. Maybe, he thinks that ACC belongs to SLC and Jay Shah, son of India’s second most powerful political leader, will compromise with his reputation for the SLC!
Laughably, Bandara never talks about World Cup 2011, where Sri Lanka got bankrupted after co-hosting the tournament. There were no funds to pay players and ground staff even. However, Bandara, certainly, won’t talk about this. Reason, it won’t fulfill his political agendas!
