The ban imposed on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was removed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday, effective immediately.
On Sunday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) overturned Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) suspension with immediate effect. The ICC issued a statement announcing the lifting of SLC’s ban, which read: “The International Cricket Council lifted the ban on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today with immediate effect.” The ICC Board has been monitoring the situation since the suspension and is now certain that SLC is no longer in breach of its membership duties.”
SLC was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in November 2023 as a result of a political slugfest in Sri Lanka following the introduction of an interim committee led by Arjun Ranatunga by Sri Lanka Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe. Following a crushing defeat to India in the Cricket World Cup and an otherwise disappointing tournament—they won just two out of nine matches and missed out on a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025—the ICC also suspended the entire SLC board.
At its meeting on November 21, the ICC Board resolved that Sri Lanka could go on competing on the international scene in both ICC and bilateral cricket competitions. However, the present U19 men’s Cricket World Cup—which was originally scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka—was shifted to South Africa.
Following a “fervent appeal” by President Shammi Silva to the board members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to “carve out an exception” that let the country to play international cricket while being suspended, Sri Lanka was permitted to participate in the sport.
“However, pursuant to SLC President Shammi Silvas’s fervent appen to the Members, the ICC Board has carved out an exception permitting Sri Lankans to compete internationally in bilateral and ICC events, despite the suspension,” the announcement read.
Earlier in the year, Zimbabwe was invited to Sri Lanka for a white-ball series following the suspension.