While a media report had alleged that Sri Lanka players were enjoying a "drinking party" at the team hotel ahead of a crucial T20 World Cup 2024 match, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has called the report completely baseless, fabricated and false. Notably, a weekend newspaper on July 7 (Sunday) had carried a report which claimed that the Sri Lankan players were involved in a drinking party inside the team hotel before their match against South Africa. Sri Lanka ended up losing the match by 6 wickets.
"Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to issue the following clarification regarding an inaccurate article titled ‘Drinking Party Inside Team Hotel Before South Africa Match?’ published in a weekend newspaper on July 7th and subsequently circulated on social media," the SLC clarified in an official statement.
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SLC Catageorically Refutes The Contents Of Article Claiming Sri Lanka Players Had A Drinking Party Before Match
"SLC categorically and strongly refutes the contents of the article and confirms that no such incidents, as described, have occurred. Therefore, SLC states unequivocally that the news report is entirely false, fabricated, and baseless," it added
The Islanders had a forgettable outing at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, winning only one match in the competition against the Netherlands. As a result, Sri Lanka made an early exit from the competition after losing to South Africa and Bangladesh with their match against Nepal abandoned due to rain.
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"We vehemently believe that such false reporting unfairly damages the reputation of Sri Lanka Cricket, its officials, and the players," the clarification report by SLC further added.
"In light of the said false allegations, Sri Lanka Cricket has requested that the respective newspaper publish a ‘Right of Reply’ to address and rectify the damage caused to Sri Lanka Cricket."