Sri Lanka announces tri-nation T20I series involving India, Bangladesh

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have officially announced a tri-nation T20I series for the next home season. The two other teams which will be involved in the series are India and Bangladesh. As per the recent reports, there will be 7 matches played in the series. This, in essence, means that every team will play against each other twice before the top two teams will compete in the finals for the trophy.

The tri-nation series will get underway from March 8. The finals of the series will be played on March 20. By the look of things, one can easily assume this to be a mini Asia Cup affair sans the Pakistan and Afghanistan team. The last time that all these three nations – Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh – had featured in a T20I series together was the ICC World T20, 2016, which was held in India.

A couple of months prior to that, in early 2016, these teams had also faced off against one another in the Asia Cup 2016. Interestingly, among the three nations, team India had emerged as the most successful one in both the competitions. Team India had won the Asia Cup and had then made it to the semi-finals of the ICC World T20 2016. The series will be called as Nidahas Trophy, which was played in 1998 as well, to mark 50 years of Sri Lankan independence.

The fixtures for the series are expected to roll out soon. The series will be a part of Sri Lanka 70 years of independence celebration. “70 years is a long journey, and one that needs to be commemorated and celebrated. We are happy that our closest neighbours, who share more or less the same journey of independence are joining us in this celebration, which we believe will be a milestone and an augur of thegreat things to come in the annals of cricket,” SLC President Thilan Sumathipala quoted.

BCCI CEO Rahul Johri pleased to be a part of the celebrations

Meanwhile, the CEO of the BCCI, Rahul Johri, also expressed his happiness over being a part of the Sri Lanka’s 70 years independence celebration. He revealed that he had no hesitation in accepting the invitation as soon as he received it.

“We are privileged to be a part of Sri Lanka’s 70th year celebrations, there is no closer friend to the BCCI than Sri Lanka [and Bangladesh] and when Mr. Sumathipala first floated this invitation, there was almost instant agreement that the Indian Team would participate for this reason,” quoted Rahul Johri.

BCB President speaks on similar lines

BCB President, Nazmul Hasan, also spoke on the same lines and cited that the contributions made India and Sri Lanka in developing cricket in Bangladesh has been immense. He expects this series to strengthen the cricket ties even further.

“The support and contribution of Sri Lanka [and India] in Bangladesh’s cricketing journey could not be overemphasized, and that this invitation was a clear testament to what a good friend Sri Lanka has been to Bangladesh’s Cricket. This Tournament too, would no doubt continue to strengthen the bonds between the 3 nations,” he quoted.