Sri Lanka Cricket on Friday announced the fixtures of the Tri-nation T20 Series “Nidahas Trophy 2018”.
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 this year at a joint press conference that gathered the heads of the participating countries, India, Bangladesh and host Sri Lanka.
Details of the fixtures have now been confirmed. The 3 countries will play 7 T20I matches in Colombo at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo from the 8th to 20th of March 2018.
The three teams- India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will play 2 matches with each other in the league stage and the final will be played on March 20.
Announcing the series, Sri Lanka Cricket president, Thilanga Sumathipala, said, “70 years is a long journey and one that needs to be commemorated and celebrated. We are happy that our closest neighbours, 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.”
BCCI CEO Rahul Johri also gave his thoughts on the tournament, “We are privileged to be a part of Sri Lanka’s 70th year celebrations, there is no close friend to the BCCI than Sri Lanka [and Bangladesh] and when Mr. Sumathipala first floated this invitation, there was almost instant agreement that the Indian Team would participate for this reason.”
Nazmul Hassan Papon, Bangladesh Cricket Board President, added: “The support and contribution of Sri Lanka [and India] in Bangladesh’s cricketing journey could not be overemphasized, and that this invitation was a clear testament to what a good friend Sri Lanka has been to Bangladesh’s Cricket. This Tournament too, would no doubt continue to strengthen the bonds between the 3 nations.”
