Sri Lanka formally invites Bangladesh for ‘Nidahas Trophy 2018’

Tuesday, 16 January 2018 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Cricket on Sunday formally invited the Bangladesh National Team for the Tri-Nation T20 Series ‘Nidahas Trophy 2018’.

The invitation was handed over to Bangladeshi Test and T20 Captain Shakib Al Hasan by Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka’s White-Ball Captain.

The Nidahas Trophy 2018, played in celebration of Sri Lanka’s 70th year of independence, coincidentally Sri Lanka Cricket’s 70th year as well, was announced in March last year at a joint media briefing, with the participation of the heads of participating countries, India, Bangladesh and host Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Cricket made a formal invitation to the Indian National Team when the Sri Lankan Team toured India.

“In the case of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, I can confidently say that nothing surpasses our collective passion for cricket. Our three countries share similar values and rich traditions. Our attitudes, beliefs, and character have been shaped by our culture as well as tumultuous events in our histories. Yet through it all our people have remained bound together by a game that transcends language, race religion and politics,” said Lankan Skipper Angelo Mathews, while handing over the formal invitation to Bangladesh.

Formally accepting the invitation, Bangladesh Test and T20 Captain Shakib Al Hasan said “It’s a privilege for Bangladesh to be able to be a part of this Nidahas Trophy. Independence Trophy means a lot for everyone, so I would like to thank the Sri Lanka Cricket for inviting us and we are accepting this friendship and hopefully that will be a very successful tournament.” SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala [who incidentally was the instigator of both this 2018 Edition as well as the Nidahas Trophy 1998 – played in celebration of Sri Lanka’s and Sri Lanka Cricket’s 50th year] stated: “70 years is a long journey, and one that needs to be commemorated and celebrated. We are happy that our closest neighbors, 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.”

The fixture will see the three countries playing seven (7) T20s in Colombo at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium from 8 to 20 March.