In response to reports that numerous players and members of the coaching staff were involved in a drinking party prior to their pivotal match against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has come forward to refute these claims. Following their initial publication in a newspaper, the accusations went viral on social media very fast.
The claims, however, were swiftly refuted by the SLC, which saw them as an attempt to damage the board’s reputation. It’s important to remember that Sri Lanka only defeated the Netherlands in their lone T20 World Cup victory. The party report said that at least five of the team’s top players—three of the top-order batsmen, an experienced fast bowler, and a legendary all-round player—participated in a late-night drinking session. The team placed third in their group. Moreover, the group included a well-known player manager and a recently hired assistant coach.
The report also expressed worries on the team manager’s attendance at the party, speculating that this may have violated the ICC’s code of conduct and even urging local authorities to provide significant support to Sri Lanka in its time of need. Sri Lanka Cricket said on social media that there is no truth to the claims and that they have not been verified.
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The article’s contents are explicitly and firmly refuted by SLC, which also affirms that no such incidents—as described—have ever happened. As a result, SLC categorically declares that the news article is wholly untrue, contrived, and unfounded,” the SLC tweeted.
SLC categorically and strongly refutes the contents of the article and confirms that no such incidents, as described, have occurred. Therefore, SLC states unequivocally that the news report is entirely false, fabricated, and baseless.
READ: https://t.co/sr1NHVVKZU #SLC #lka…— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 9, 2024
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In addition, the board requested that the newspaper issue a “Right of Reply” in order to rectify any inaccuracies and address the harm that the false accusations are causing. Additionally, they shown their unshakable concern for all of the Sri Lankan board’s players and officials.
“We vehemently believe that such false reporting unfairly damages the reputation of Sri Lanka Cricket, its officials, and the players,” the SLC stated in a statement.
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