Embarrassed and humiliated Sri Lanka Cricket has pleaded with fans to patronise the ongoing home ODI series against Zimbabwe free of charge following poor spectator turnouts for the first two games at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
It marked the first time spectators at a Sri Lanka match played on home soil could be easily counted from a distance amid rows and rows of empty seats.
Analysts attrubute the absence of spectators at the Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe series to several factors including the economic setbacks the people have been subjected to, the sub standard performance of the team at the last World Cup and the corruption tainted image of cricket officials.
“The public will be allowed to watch the third ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe free of charge from the C&D Upper and Lower Stands of the RPICS in Colombo.
“Accordingly, the entrance gates for the respective stands will be opened at 1 p.m. tomorrow for the public to enter”, Sri Lanka Cricket said in a pleading Media statement.
Sri Lanka currently leads the three match series 1-0 after rain wasted out a result in the first match.
The two countries will also feature in a three match T20 series starting on January 14 at the same venue.
