The International Cricket Council (ICC) has shifted the Under-19 World Cup 2024 to South Africa from Sri Lanka, due to the ongoing suspension of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board. The SLC was suspended by the ICC after the World Cup because of government interference.
According to Cricbuzz, the ICC in its ongoing meeting has decided to uphold the suspension of the Sri Lanka Cricket. The report stated the Sri Lanka team will be allowed to play international cricket through the suspended SLC, which will receive controlled funding.
“It was a unanimous decision by the board that the suspension cannot be lifted. Cricket in the country will continue as normal,” a source close to the development was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.
Notably, this will be the third time that South Africa will host the tournament, having previously hosted in 1998 and 2020.
The governing council also discussed the option of holding the event in Oman and UAE but South Africa was eventually picked because of better infrastructure.
The tournament dates will clash with the second edition of SA20, which will begin on January 10 but Cricket South Africa (CSA) have assured that both tournaments can be managed simultaneously.
The U-19 World Cup tournament is set to begin on January 13 and will conclude on February 9. The defending champions India will begin their campaign on January 14 against Bangladesh.
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