ICC strips Sri Lanka of 2027 Women's Champions Trophy hosting rights
The ICC has taken away Sri Lanka's right to host the 2027 Women's Champions Trophy over governance concerns.
The ICC has removed Sri Lanka's hosting rights for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy in 2027 due to government interference in Sri Lanka Cricket. The six-team tournament will be played at a different venue in the same window, with India reported as the likely replacement. Sri Lanka's ranking of sixth in the ICC women's standings also factored into the decision.
Sri Lanka Cricket had hoped to stage the event despite the governance issues. The ICC has urged a return to an elected administration before considering future hosting bids. The decision leaves the tournament's venue uncertain with less than a year to go.
The inaugural event was scheduled to feature six teams in a new ICC women's limited-overs competition. A final decision on the new host is expected in the coming weeks.
CricHubb Take
The governance dispute shows how political interference in member boards can directly affect tournament hosting decisions. Sri Lanka's sixth-place ranking in the women's standings made the decision easier for the ICC to justify on sporting grounds.