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Sri Lanka's Minister of Sports has appointed a special technical committee to look into the country's inability to win automatic qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup which will be hosted by India in October-November. The 1996 World Cup-winning team failed to directly qualify for the 50-over tournament after the side's loss to New Zealand in the third ODI at Hamilton in March.
Sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe appointed the technical committee last week, which will be headed by the legendary Sanath Jayasuriya. the committee will also have comprises three other former national players, and had their first public appearance on Tuesday.
"We will ask the coaching management the reasons for not winning the automatic qualification," Jayasuriya, a key player in Sri Lanka's only World Cup win in 1996, told reporters in a press meeting.
"They must also give us a short-term plan to improve things. These are a talented bunch of players and they should be given the necessary confidence," the former batting star said.
Sri Lanka are also a two-time finalist of the competition in addition to their trophy win in 1996. They have played every World Cup since 1975 but this will be the first time they will participate in a qualifying round of the tournament.
Sri Lanka’s chances for automatic qualification disappeared when they lost the three-ODI series 0-2 to New Zealand. The loss meant that the Lankans were rooted to their eighth spot in the Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League table. Seven teams have already secured their spots in the tournament.
Sri Lanka will now play in the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe between June 18 and July 9.
There are only two places for the qualifying teams in the final round. Sri Lanka will be fighting for a slot alongside Zimbabwe and West Indies and also with either South Africa or Ireland.
The ODI World Cup will be held in October-November in India this year.
(With PTI Inputs)
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