The Cricket in the Island is once again heading towards grim scenario, as Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe is yet to approve Island’s squad for the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday (August 30), Cricket Age reliably learns.
The Asia Cup to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from 30 August to 17 September. The 2023 ODI format edition will feature 2 groups, with two teams from each group qualifying for the super four stage. The two top teams from the super four stage will then face off in the final.
According to sources, even though the request letter to hold Asia Cup was sent to Sports Ministry in the first week of this month Itself, Ranasinghe is not bothered to approve it as yet!
Cricket Age understands that earlier Sports Ministry was used to approve squads within few days itself. However, during Roshan Ranasinghe’s tenure, getting any sort of Ministry approvals is like climbing a mountain for the cricket board!
Obviously, it hampers Board’s preparation big time. Ministry’s ignorance leaves SLC in lurch. Like during recently Japan tour of Island’s Emerging team and Emerging Asia Cup, when the Ministry’s approved squad was sent barely hours before the departure!
Recently, the relationship between SLC and Ranasinghe hit all time low, when Minister publically termed Lanka Premier League (LPL) illegal. However, for the final of the franchise tournament, even Country’s President Ranil Wickramasinghe arrived! Now, It’s time for Ranil to Intervene and make sure that cricket must not suffer due to the ongoing clash between the two parties! Especially, when India, super power of world cricket, is also participating in the Asia Cup!
