ICC Strips Sri Lanka Of 2027 Women’s Champions Trophy Hosting Rights

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has withdrawn Sri Lanka’s hosting rights for the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in 2027, citing concerns over government interference in the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket.

The six-team tournament was originally planned to be staged in Sri Lanka, with the hosts joining the world’s top five teams. However, the ICC is now expected to select an alternative venue at its next board meeting.

Prakash Shaffter, secretary of the Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee, confirmed that the tournament would be moved out of the country, although the new venue has not yet been finalised.

The decision comes amid an ongoing governance dispute involving Sri Lanka Cricket. The current administration is being overseen by a government-appointed Transformation Committee, established to implement reforms and changes to the board’s constitution and governance structure.

The ICC does not recognise politically appointed interim administrations and has consequently prevented Sri Lanka Cricket representatives from attending its board meetings since the committee took charge.

In July, the ICC said it had noted progress towards a revised constitution but stressed that elections should be held as soon as possible. It also confirmed that Sri Lanka Cricket would remain barred from representation at ICC Board meetings for the time being.

The proposed constitutional reforms have reportedly been drafted and submitted to Sri Lanka’s sports minister. However, they must still undergo the required legal process before being placed before Parliament, meaning a return to an ICC-recognised elected administration could take time.

The venue change could also have serious sporting consequences for Sri Lanka Women. With only six teams scheduled to compete and Sri Lanka currently ranked sixth, the hosts could potentially lose their automatic place in the tournament.

This is not the first time Sri Lanka has lost a major ICC hosting assignment because of governance concerns. In 2023, the ICC removed the 2024 Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka after the country’s then sports minister dissolved the elected cricket administration and appointed an interim committee.