Asia Cup Cricket 2022: Sri Lanka Cricket has received a shot in the arm with Australia finally visiting the crisis-hit island. The Lankan cricket board will gain $2.5 million and that has SLC CEO Ashley de Silva declare that the country is confident of hosting not only Asia Cup in September but also Pakistan in mid-July. Follow SL vs AUS Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The cash-strapped Sri Lankan Cricket was banking on the Australia tour. The 52-day long tour will fetch SLC $2.5 million, a massive boost for a country whose foreign reserves are less than $1 million due to a prolonged economic crisis.
“The Aussie tour has paved the way for many back to back tours. There will not only be the Asia Cup, but the Pakistan tour as well in mid July following the Australian tour,” Sri Lanka Cricket CEO, Ashley de Silva said.
Asia Cup Cricket 2022: After $2.5 million boost from Australia series, SLC CEO very confident about hosting Pakistan and Asia Cup
Asia Cup Cricket 2022: After $2.5 million boost from Australia series, SLC CEO very confident about hosting Pakistan and Asia Cup
In fact, SLC was banking on the Australia tour. Had Australia refused to tour, SLC would have been on the verge of bankruptcy. Furthermore, the fate of Asia Cup was also hanging by a thread.
“While welcoming the Australians, I am proud to say that the Australian tour is very important to the country. Not only on the cricket front, but also economically in view of the foreign exchange revenue accruing to the country. Sri Lanka Cricket has unanimously decided to donate all the proceeds for the benefit of the people,” SLC secretary Mohan de Silva said during a pre-series press conference on Monday.
Asia Cup Cricket 2022: After $2.5 million boost from Australia series, SLC CEO very confident about hosting Pakistan and Asia Cup
Asia Cup Cricket 2022: Why Australia Series is important for Asia Cup?
- Cricket Australia had to go against the Australian government’s advisory to tour Sri Lanka.
- Sri Lanka is in a dire situation with food, medical and fuel supplies running low.
- SLC would have lost nearly $2 million if the Australia series got cancelled.
- The economic crisis and civil unrest in Sri Lanka also put the Asia Cup in jeopardy.
- But now that Australia series is going through, SLC will receive $2.5 million, enough to boost their hopes of hosting the Asia Cup 2022.
- SLC CEO has also declared that the country will host Pakistan in mid-July.
Asia Cup Cricket 2022: After $2.5 million boost from Australia series, SLC CEO very confident about hosting Pakistan and Asia Cup
Mohan De Silva also made special mention of Cricket Australia for having faith in Sri Lanka in backing the island nation. Australia not only agreed to tour the island nation despite a travel advisory from the Australian government, but it also sent full-strength squads including an A team.
“It has been a magnanimous gesture by Cricket Australia of which we are very appreciative and grateful. It is particularly an example to other major cricket playing countries that have been shying from sending teams here. In that vein the great gesture by Cricket Australia and its players touring Sri Lanka at such a critical economic juncture is a victory not only for Sri Lanka Cricket, but the country as a whole,” he said.
Despite the economic crisis, tickets for the Australia matches have been sold out. De Silva said that tickets were sold out within a few hours like hot cakes.
Asia Cup Cricket 2022: After $2.5 million boost from Australia series, SLC CEO very confident about hosting Pakistan and Asia Cup
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