Sri Lanka’s interim cricket board remains determined to retain the hosting rights for the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, scheduled from 14 to 28 February 2027, despite growing speculation that the six-team T20 tournament could be relocated.
The development comes during the ongoing sixth edition of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, where Sri Lanka are seeking to defend their title while simultaneously undertaking major governance reforms to address the International Cricket Council’s concerns over government interference in the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
Sri Lanka’s interim board says it is working to rebuild the sport’s administration “from the very foundation” and convince the ICC that the country can host the landmark tournament. Interim Committee chair Eran Wickremaratna underlined that commitment, stating, “We are very committed to really correcting from the very foundation. We are not backing out.”
His comments carry significance because the ICC has reportedly been examining alternative venues for the Champions Trophy. Interim Committee official Prakash Schaffter revealed that the governing body had indicated around two and a half months ago that it was considering a venue outside Sri Lanka. However, he insisted that the board still hopes its reform programme can change the situation.
“Although they have not categorically told us their decision due to governance issues with SLC, we are hoping we will be able to demonstrate to them the steps we have taken so that they may even be persuaded to play it here,” Schaffter told reporters on Monday.
The central issue is the ICC’s opposition to political intervention in the administration of its member boards. Sri Lanka’s current interim committee was appointed in April after the previous SLC administration was asked to resign over allegations of mismanagement and corruption. The sports minister subsequently appointed the Transformation Committee to overhaul SLC’s constitution and governance structure.
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who is part of the interim committee, believes cooperation with the ICC will be essential to restoring confidence. “We are passing the phase of formulating a new constitution and then have an elected body,” Sangakkara said, signalling that the long-term objective is to return the board to a properly elected administration.
On the field, Sri Lanka have made an ideal start to the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, being played from 28 August to 13 September. Led by skipper Chamari Athapaththu, they are placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. Sri Lanka currently sit at the top of the table with two points after a thumping nine-wicket victory over the UAE on 29 August at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The reigning champions will next turn their attention to the fourth edition of the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, scheduled from 17 to 22 September. Having defeated India by eight wickets in the previous, fifth edition of the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka are carrying both momentum and expectation.
For now, their campaign extends beyond the boundary. The interim board’s challenge is to prove that Sri Lanka can deliver not only competitive women’s cricket, but also a stable, independent and credible cricket administration worthy of hosting the sport’s first Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027.
(Quotes sourced from PTI)
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