Sri Lanka could be STRIPPED of hosting rights for Under 19 World Cup in January after suspension from international cricket over government interference in the country’s cricket board – with ICC to address the issue this weekend

Sri Lanka could be stripped of the right to host the U19 World Cup next year at an ICC board meeting on Sunday after the country was suspended from the Cricket World Cup due to government interference.

Mailsport has learned that tackling Sri Lanka is top of the ICC’s agenda this weekend, with the prospect of moving the Under-19 World Cup elsewhere could provide an additional sanction if the ban remains in place.

The ICC needs to make a decision quickly as the tournament starts on January 14 and new hosts will have to be found at short notice if the tournament is rescheduled.

Sri Lanka Cricket will be represented at this weekend’s board meetings, but only as an observer.

Sri Lanka’s suspension last week followed complaints from their own cricket board to the ICC about government interference in many areas, including administration, finance and even team selection.

The country’s sports minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, had responded to a poor World Cup campaign by sacking the entire Sri Lanka Cricket Board earlier this week.

As well as hosting the upcoming U19 World Cup, Sri Lanka will also tour England for a three-Test series next summer, so the ECB will be keeping a close eye on events.