Sri Lanka to decide fate of India and Bangladesh series this week amid COVID-19 threat

Sri Lanka has already canceled the home Test series against England in mid-March.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will play 3 Tests in July-August | AFP

The ongoing global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has already affected that cricket calendar with the fate of the many scheduled series still hangs in balance due to the lockdown.

Sri Lanka has already canceled their home Test series against England in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there is still no clarity about their upcoming home series against India and Bangladesh.

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Amid the lockdown, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had asked Sri Lanka for time till May 15 to assess the situation before making any decision regarding the tour.

While the Indian cricket team is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in June-July for three One Day Internationals and as many T20Is, Bangladesh is due to visit the Island country in July-August for 3 Tests as part of the ICC World Test Championship.

Both India and Bangladesh are currently under lockdown due to the raising COVID-19 threat. With the lockdown entering its fourth phase from May 18 in India after the COVID-19 cases have crossed 70,000-mark, it is highly unlikely that the Asian country will re-open their borders and resume flight services.

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However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is expected to decide on the fate of its forthcoming home series against Bangladesh this week.

SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva stated on Wednesday (May 13): “The two cricket boards (BCCI and BCB) wanted time till May 15 to assess the situation and we have given them that. We will arrive at a collective decision at the end of this week.”

Noteworthy, Sri Lanka was under complete lockdown from March 20 that was eased only this week, as the Island nation has reported over 875 positive coronavirus cases with nine deaths so far.

(With PTI Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 14 May, 2020

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