(Source Insidesport)

Sri Lanka lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding their T20 World Cup team’s treatment and conditions while co-hosting in the United States. Sports Minister Harin Fernando claimed that other teams received preferential treatment, highlighting a formal protest following a seven-hour flight delay in a Florida airport. Additionally, he noted Sri Lanka’s accommodation was over 90 minutes away from the practice stadium upon arrival in New York, contrasting with India’s closer proximity. Sri Lanka suffered a six-wicket defeat to South Africa in their opening match in New York on Monday.

“Sri Lanka Cricket has complained to the ICC,” Fernando told parliament.

“Different countries are being treated differently. We have called for an explanation from the organisers of the tournament.”

Sri Lanka’s sports ministry has sent an official to the United States to assess the team’s well-being, as stated by Fernando. AFP reached out to the ICC for a response. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa emphasized that Sri Lanka’s parliament was collectively disturbed by the reported conditions.

“We stand against this injustice, we should not allow this,” he said.

Angelo Mathews, a former skipper and current member of Sri Lanka’s T20 squad, told local broadcaster Ada Derana TV the past few days had been “most challenging”.

“Practice facilities are not good. Wickets are not good. Last four to five days have been very challenging for us,” he said.

“We had to cancel practices because a flight was delayed.

“We are not going to use this as an excuse, we are a team that has won despite obstacles. We want to put all this behind us and do well at the next match.”

Their next game is against Bangladesh on Saturday.