2018 Nidahas Trophy

The Nidahas Trophy 2018 played in celebration of Sri Lanka’s 70th year of independence, coincidentally, Sri Lanka Cricket's 70th year as well was announced in March this year at a joint press conference that gathered the heads of the participating countries, India, Bangladesh and host Sri Lanka.

Details of the fixtures have now been confirmed. The 3 countries will play 7 T20s in Colombo at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium from the 8 to 20 March 2018. All matches will commence at 7 pm with each team meeting each other twice on a round robin basis, culminating in the final to be played on March 20.

Speaking at the launch, Bangladesh Cricket Board president, Nazmul Hassan Papon, stated that “the support and contribution of Sri Lanka [and India] in Bangladesh's cricketing journey could not be overemphasized, and this invitation was a clear testament to what a good friend Sri Lanka has been to Bangladesh's Cricket. This tournament too, would no doubt continue to strengthen the bonds between the 3 nations.”

BCCI CEO, Rahul Johri said, “We are privileged to be a part of Sri Lanka’s 70th year celebrations, there is no closer friend to the BCCI than Sri Lanka [and Bangladesh] and when Mr. Sumathipala first floated this invitation, there was almost instant agreement that the Indian team would participate for this reason.”

SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala, the visionary behind this 2018 edition as well as the Nidahas Trophy 1998 played in celebration of Sri Lanka’s and Sri Lanka Cricket's 50th year stated: “Seventy years is a long journey, and one that needs to be commemorated and celebrated".