A security person is seen outside the Sri Lanka’s cricket board, after Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been suspended with immediate effect for government interference, in Colombo, Sri Lanka November 11,2023. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte/ File photo
Sri Lanka’s membership of the ICC was suspended on Nov. 10 due to government interference, prompting the ministry of sport to dismiss SLC’s board and replace it with an interim committee. This decision followed the country’s poor performance at this year’s World Cup, although the sacking was later stayed by Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal.
On Nov. 21, the ICC confirmed that Sri Lanka would be allowed to continue competing internationally in both bilateral cricket and ICC events. However, the terms of the suspension also included the decision that Sri Lanka would no longer host the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024, with South Africa now set to host the event instead.
In addition to these decisions, the ICC also approved new gender eligibility regulations, stating that any male or female participant who has been through any form of male puberty will not be allowed to participate in the international women’s game. The Chief Executives’ Committed (CEC) also agreed to introduce a stop clock on a trial basis in men’s ODI and T20I cricket from December 2023 to April 2024, which will regulate the amount of time taken between overs. If the bowling team is not ready to bowl the next over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed, a five-run penalty will be imposed the third time it happens in an innings.
Overall, although Sri Lanka’s ICC membership has been suspended, they are free to continue competing internationally, albeit under certain conditions.