The national team players participating in the ILT20 tournament in Dubai were reportedly allowed to compete in the league until early January, but the Sri Lanka Cricket has instructed them to return to the island by December 20.
Although Sri Lanka Cricket has not officially announced the reason for the order, sources say that the players have been informed of the recall via email.
Reports indicate that the move is linked to preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and Sri Lanka’s immediate international cricket commitments.
As Sri Lanka Cricket had previously allowed the players to participate in the ILT20 tournament until January 2, questions have been raised as to whether the sudden recall has revoked or amended those approvals.
Several Sri Lankan players are currently playing in the ILT20, including Pathum Nissanka, Mahesh Theekshana, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana.
Pathum Nissanka is among the standout performers in the tournament, while Matheesha Pathirana and Kamindu have won the Man of the Match awards during the matches.
The Sri Lankan team is scheduled to face Pakistan in a T20 match on January 7 in Dambulla, and preparations for the tournament are considered to be a major factor in the decision to recall the players early.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket is yet to issue an official statement clarifying the exact scope of the players’ recall.
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