Sri Lanka will host India and Bangladesh in a tri-series, scheduled to be played next year to commemorate the island nation’s 70th Independence day celebrations, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Friday (November 17). The series will be held between March 8 to 20 with all the games scheduled to be played at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium.
The teams will be fighting out for the Nidahas Trophy which was also played in 1998, in celebration of Sri Lanka’s 50 years of independence as well as SLC’s 50 years of inception.
Confirming India’s participation, Rahul Johri, BCCI CEO, expressed his delight over the team being a part of Sri Lanka’s special occasion and stated that the BCCI instantly agreed to give the green signal when the proposal arrived.
“We are privileged to be a part of Sri Lanka’s 70th year celebrations, there is no closer friend to the BCCI than Sri Lanka [and Bangladesh] and when Mr. Sumathipala first floated this invitation, there was almost instant agreement that the Indian Team would participate for this reason,” Johri said.
Thilanga Sumathipala, SLC President, also expressed his delight over hosting two ‘closest neighbours’ and hoped that it would lead to greater things in future.
“70 years is a long journey, and one that needs to be commemorated and celebrated. We are happy that our closest neighbours, who share more or less the same journey of independence are joining us in this celebration, which we believe will be a milestone and an augur of the great things to come in the annals of cricket.”
Nazmul Hassan Papon, Bangladesh Cricket Board President, said that the series would further strengthen the bonds between the three nations.
“The support and contribution of Sri Lanka [and India] in Bangladesh’s cricketing journey could not be overemphasized, and that this invitation was a clear testament to what a good friend Sri Lanka has been to Bangladesh’s Cricket,” he said. “This Tournament too, would no doubt continue to strengthen the bonds between the 3 nations.”
Video of the day: