Cricket, the most marketable commodity in Sri Lanka, could come to the rescue of the country’s international image in a post coronavirus era as administrators are drawing up plans for a three-phase hit parade starting next month.
The first sparks will be lit when hoards of domestic cricketers come out of their coronavirus hibernation in July followed by a revived Lanka Premier League (LPL) with international flavour and a Colombo-based Asia Cup re-igniting the final flame.
“The country is getting back to normal and even the government is keen that an international cricket tournament sends a message to everyone overseas that we are back in business. What better way,” said Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva.
Sri Lanka Cricket has already nudged potential sponsors who have shown interest in the LPL that is planned to get underway in August followed by the Asia Cup which Pakistan will not be able to host for geo-political reasons.
De Silva said the Asia Cup may also serve as a fore-runner to the World T20 that Australia is listed to host in October-November and currently being reviewed.
Sri Lanka has already lost out on a T20 home series with South Africa while tours by India and Bangladesh have been put on hold.
Contrary to international reports that Bangladesh’s cricketers have turned their backs on the island over an ICC Test championship series, Sri Lanka Cricket according to De Silva is officially unaware of any snub.
“I don’t think any country can back out from an officially arranged series. All countries have to honour their commitments or else be penalised (by the ICC) heavily.
“Bangladesh has a right to be cautious but they have not told us anything about not touring and we are awaiting a response from them,” said De Silva.
International cricket is scheduled to see its first ball hurled down on July 8 since the outbreak of the pandemic when England host the West Indies, who are currently in the United Kingdom (UK), for a three-Test series.
England has been the most badly hit cricket playing country caught up in the syndrome with over 30,000 deaths in the UK compared to Sri Lanka’s 11 which is one of the lowest in the world along with New Zealand which has already commenced its domestic rugby league.
Several football leagues in Europe that took the brunt of the tragedy have also commenced.