The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has lifted the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect on Sunday (January 28). For context, SLC was suspended in November last year after being found to have been in breach of its obligation as an ICC member. For context, SLC was required to manage its affairs as an autonomous body and ensure that there is no government intervention in regulation or administration of cricket in India.

An official release by the ICC confirmed that the ICC Board has been following the situation since the suspension and are now satisfied that SLC are not in breach of the obligations that an ICC member is supposed to comply with.  Government interference, most notably, the Sri Lanka’s sports ministry, was one of the key reasons behind the SLC being suspended.

The ban imposed by the ICC on Sri Lanka Cricket in November 2023 has been lifted.https://t.co/qDPp8I2CM6

— ICC (@ICC) January 28, 2024

Sri Lanka Cricket Had Been Cleared To Play In International Cricket

Even as SLC remained suspended, their teams were cleared to participate in international cricket competitions. No restrictions were imposed on them for either bilateral cricket or ICC events. However, as a result of the ICC suspension, SLC lost the hosting rights of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 which is currently underway in South Africa. The tournament was originally slated to be held in Sri Lanka but the rights were transferred to South Africa. The ICC’s move though was a reminder of how the world cricket governing body takes steps to uphold the integrity of cricket around the world. 

Sri Lankan men’s cricket team’s immediate next assignment is their one-off Test match against Afghanistan beginning on February 2 (Friday) at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) Cricket Ground in Colombo. That match will be followed by a three-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series.