ODI World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka Sports Minister Sacks Entire National Cricket Board Days After Humiliating Defeat By India

Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga has been named the chairman of a new interim board.

Sri Lanka's humiliating defeat against India in ODI World Cup 2023 prompted a public outcry with SL Sports Minister saying SLC officials had no moral right to remain in office. ( Image Source :PTI )

Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe took the decision to remove the entire Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board following the 1996 world champions' shambolic defeat against hosts India in IND vs SL ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match. As per a report on AFP, ex-Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has been named the chairman of a new interim board. Minister Roshan Ranasinghe publicly called for the resignations of the entire Sri Lanka cricket board following their crushing defeat by hosts India in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, last week. 

Rohit Sharma-led team India squared off against Sri Lanka on Thursday (November 2) at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Batting first, India posted a mammoth total (357/8). In reply, Sri Lankan cricket team were bowled out for mere 55 runs. The same venue where the Lankan Lions had played 2011 ODI World Cup final against hosts India.

"Sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe has formed an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket," the statement said, AFP reported.

Sri Lanka were attempting to chase down team India's imposing target of 358 runs in IND vs SL ODI World Cup 2023 match. At one stage, Sri Lanka found themselves at a precarious 14-6 before the Indian pacers rattled them entirely, bowling out them for 55 runs.

Ranasinghe, who had earlier accused Sri Lanka Cricket Board of being 'corrupt anf traitorous', said that the board officials had no ethical or moral right to remain in office.

"They should voluntarily resign," he said, as per the AFP report.

"Sri Lanka Cricket has been besieged with complaints of player disciplinary issues, management corruption, financial misconduct and match-fixing allegations," Ranasinghe said in the letters, released to Sri Lankan media.

Sri Lanka can still qualify for ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal 

In ODI World Cup 2023, Sri Lanka has so far won just two off their seven matches and are still to play Bangladesh (6 November) and New Zealand (9 November). Only top 4 teams by the end of league stage will qualify for ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal.

For Sri Lanka to secure a spot in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinal, they must win their remaining matches to reach 8 points and hope New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan lose all of their remaining matches, and finish with higher NRR than other teams who are alive in race to the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinals and can still reach 8 points.