Jay Shah's ICC Challenged By SLC After Women’s Champions Trophy Hosting Rights Snatched

Sri Lanka challenge ICC [Source: AFP]Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) does not seem to be backing down after losing the hosting rights of the historic ICC Women’s Champions Trophy. Set to be played in February 2027, the ICC moved the inaugural edition of the women’s tournament out of the island nation, and will be naming its new hosts in their next board meeting in October. However, the SLC administration is determined on retaining the hosting rights for the six-team T20 competition. SLC chairman says Sri Lanka “not backing out”The ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027, set to be played in February next year, was moved out of Sri Lanka by the ICC with concerns over political involvement in the running of the SLC. Also Read- WTC Table After India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test, World Test Championship Points TableInterim Committee chairman Eran Wickremaratna has since said that the governing body in intending to overhaul the entire SLC structure at its most basic level. As quoted by the PTI, Wickremaratna also added that the Sri Lankan board is committed in taking the right steps, and will not be backing out after losing the hosting rights.He said “We are very committed to really correcting from the very foundation. We are not backing out.”Kumar Sangakkara wants stronger working relationship with ICCFormer Sri Lanka captain and all-time great Kumar Sangakkara is part of an interim committee at the SLC. Addressing the lost hosting rights of the 2026 ICC Women’s Champions Trophy, the cricketer-turned-administrator has emphasised the importance of Sri Lanka maintaining a better working relationship with the ICC.Sangakkara also added that the SLC is attempting to address the concerns surrounding its administration.He said “We are passing the phase of formulating a new constitution and then have an elected body.”Why did ICC move Champions Trophy out of Sri LankaThe ICC stripped Sri Lanka of hosting rights of the 2027 ICC Women’s Champions Trophy because of government interference in their board.It is worth noting that just earlier this year after co-hosting the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the SLC put together an interim administration titled the Transformation Committee. The committee was put in place by the Sri Lanka government and its focus is to oversee major board changes including to the constitution.While the committee was put in place as a replacement of the previous SLC leadership following allegations of mismanagement and corruption, the ICC does not recognise politically appointed administrations. When Sri Lanka lost hosting rights of 2024 U19 World CupIncidentally, this is not the first time Sri Lanka has lost hosting rights of a major ICC event. Just a couple of years ago, the 2024 ICC Men’s U19 World Cup was moved out of Sri Lanka and was relocated to South Africa by the ICC for the exact same reasons.While Sri Lanka did co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup with India this year, losing the 2027 ICC Women’s Champions Trophy would mark the second time in three years for the SLC to lose an ICC event hosting rights because of political interference.Also Read- PCB Sends Players Back From England Mid-Tour; Has BCCI Ever Done The Same?