Nidahas Trophy 2018 announced

• Sri Lanka marks 70 years of independence and Sri Lanka Cricket’s 70th anniversary

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 Sri Lanka Cricket, together with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, today announced the Nidahas Trophy 2018, a tri-nation series that will see neighboring countries India, Bangladesh and hosts Sri Lanka compete in a series from 15-31 March next year to commemorate Sri Lanka’s 70th year of independence. 

“We look forward to playing the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka next year as it not only coincides with the 70th year of independence of our nation but the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka Cricket,” said Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala. 

“We are pleased that two of our closest neighbors, India and Bangladesh, will be our counterparts in this historic series. The series will undoubtedly strengthen bonds of mutual respect, admiration and friendship between the countries in this region.” 

“As our nations gained independence within a short span of each other in our contemporary history, this will no doubt be a significant moment of similar sentimental value for us to mark with pomp and pageantry as it rightfully warrants,” added President. 

The series was first mooted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official visit and the Sri Lanka Cricket President noted that special thanks and mention must be made of the Prime Minister for this great initiative. The series, which will be played across the country, will encompass several T20 games and is scheduled to be held between 15 and 31 March and next year. 

The complete itinerary with venues will be released close to the date once all formal procedures are complete. 

It is worthy of note that in 1998 Pakistan and India participated in a similar series to mark Sri Lanka’s 50 years of independence. Then too Sumathipala was at the helm of Sri Lanka Cricket.