SL to host India and Bangladesh in tri-series

Sri Lanka will host India and Bangladesh in a triangular T20 series in March next year as part of Sri Lanka’s 70th Independence Day celebrations, Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed.

The Nidahas Trophy 2018 will see the three countries play seven T20Is in Colombo at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium from 8 -20 March 2018. 

“Our neighbours, friends and brothers India [and Bangladesh] share in the significance of this occasion as Asian Nations who won hard-fought independence. The Nidahas Trophy celebrates the passion that brings us all together through diversity, and I am privileged to extend this invitation to the Indian team on behalf of Sri Lanka,” said limited overs Captain Thisara Perera.

Formally accepting the invitation on behalf of the Indian team, ODI Captain Rohit Sharma said he was happy to accept it and was looking forward to playing in Sri Lanka. 

Speaking at the event that announced the tournament earlier this year, BCCI CEO Rahul Johri said: “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.” 

SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala added: “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 the great things to come in the annals of cricket.”