Nidahas trophy 2018 announced
Sri Lanka marks 70 years of independence and Sri Lanka Cricket’s 70th anniversary
15th March 2017, Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket together with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Bangladesh Cricket Board today announced the Nidahas Trophy 2018 – a Tri-Nation series that will see neighboring countries India, Bangladesh and host Sri Lanka compete in a series between March 15th and 31st next year to commemorate Sri Lanka’s 70th year of independence.
“We look forward to playing the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka next year as it not only coincides with the 70th year of Independence of our nation but the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka Cricket,” said President of Sri Lanka Cricket Hon. Thilanga Sumathipala. “We are pleased that two of our closest neighbors, India and Bangladesh will be our counterpart in this historic series. The series will undoubtedly strengthen bonds of mutual respect, admiration and friendship between the countries in this region.”
“As our nations gained Independence within a short span of each other in our contemporary history, this will no doubt be a significant moment of similar sentimental value for us to mark with pomp and pageantry as it rightfully warrants,” added President.
The series was first mooted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official visit and Sri Lanka Cricket President noted that special thanks and mention must be made of the honorable Prime Minister for this great initiative. The series which will be played across the country will encompass several T20 games and is scheduled to be held between March 15th and 31st next year.
The complete itinerary with venues will be released closer to the date once all formal procedures are complete.
It is worthy of note that in 1998, Pakistan and India participated in a similar series to mark Sri Lanka’s 50 years of independence and at the helm of Sri Lanka Cricket too in 1998 was President Thilanga Sumathipala.
