SLC rubbishes report of alleged drinking party inside Sri Lanka's team hotel ahead of crucial T20 World Cup clash
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has come out with a statement slamming a news article in a weekend newspaper on July 7 that claimed that the Sri Lankan players and some officials had a drinking party. This drinking party was claimed to happen ahead of Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup clash against South Africa.
According to the news article as quoted by India Today, at least three top-order batters, a veteran fast bowler and a star all-rounder had been drinking in the hotel room late at night before the South Africa clash.
The report also claimed that the assistant coach as well as a popular player manager were also present in the hotel room, thereby allegedly breaking the ICC rules and regulations. Here's what an extract of SLC's statement on the article read:
"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."
Sri Lanka were bundled out for just 77 against the Proteas in New York and the South Africans won the game comfortably with six wickets in hand.
SLC wants 'Right of Reply' in the newspaper
Sri Lankan Cricket further claimed that the article had made an attempt at tarnishing the reputation of the players as well as the officials associated with the cricket board. The organization has requested a 'Right of Reply' so that they can give its perspective on the allegations. The statement further read:
"We vehemently believe that such false reporting unfairly damages the reputation of Sri Lanka Cricket, its officials, and the players. In light of the said false allegations, Sri Lanka Cricket has requested that the respective newspaper publish a ‘Right of Reply’ to address and rectify the damage caused to Sri Lanka Cricket."
The Lankans under Wanindu Hasaranga's leadership had a disastrous T20 World Cup campaign as they couldn't even qualify for the Super 8 stage, finishing third behind Bangladesh and South Africa.