Sri Lanka stated on Friday that they have protested to the International Cricket Council about their T20 World Cup team’s treatment and conditions in co-host the United States.
Harin Fernando, the sports minister, said other teams had it easier and said Sri Lanka had filed a formal objection after the squad was held up by a seven-hour flight delay at a Florida airport.
He further stated that when Sri Lanka arrived in New York, they were provided accommodations more than 90 minutes away from the practice stadium. He stated that India’s team had been pushed up much closer.
Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by six wickets in their first encounter in New York on Monday.
“Sri Lanka Cricket has complained to the ICC,” Fernando informed parliament.
Different countries are treated differently. We have requested an explanation from the tournament administrators.”
Sri Lanka’s sports ministry has sent an officer to the United States to investigate the team’s well-being, Fernando said.
The AFP has contacted the International Criminal Court for comment.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa stated that Sri Lanka’s parliament was unified in its outrage over the alleged conditions.
“We are against this injustice, and we should not allow it,” he stated.
Angelo Mathews, a former captain and current member of Sri Lanka’s T20 squad, told local network Ada Derana TV that the previous three days had been “most challenging.”
“The practice facilities are not good. Wickets aren’t good. “The last four to five days have been extremely difficult for us,” he explained.
“We had to cancel practices due to a flight delay.
“We will not use this as an excuse; we are a team that has triumphed despite adversity. We want to put all of this behind us and perform well in the upcoming encounter.”
Their next game is against Bangladesh on Saturday.
© AFP