Published: Jul 11, 2017, 07:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 11, 2017, 07:39 PM (IST)
Colombo: Dozens of groundsmen at Sri Lanka‘s Hambantota cricket stadium have complained that they were ordered to give back their uniforms before being paid — even though they were wearing them at the time. Sri Lanka’s cricket board was forced to apologise after social media reports that some workers had to leave the ground in their underwear at the end of the fifth one-day international between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on Monday. “Whilst stern action will be taken against those responsible, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to apologise to those subjected to this ignominy, and will take steps to ensure they are compensated,” the board said in a statement. Full cricket scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 2017, 5th ODI at Hambantota
The workers had been told that they would not be paid until they returned the uniforms provided by the board. Zimbabwe claimed the one-day international series against Sri Lanka 3-2, embarrassing a home side that has struggled with fitness, losses and coaching upheaval. Earlier, Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews has admitted that the unexpected 2-3 home series loss to Zimbabwe is “one of the lowest points” of his career and a “hard one to swallow”. Earlier, all-rounder Sikandar Raza starred with both bat and ball to help Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by three wickets and clinch a historic series victory in the fifth and final ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota on Monday, as reported by ANI. ICC World Cup 2019: SL, WI vie for last available place for automatic qualification
Taking the series 3-2 in Hambantota, 11th-ranked Zimbabwe registered its maiden series win in Sri Lanka, and first overseas triumph in eight years. “It’s one of the lowest points in my career, and a hard one to swallow,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Mathews as saying.
