The chairman of Sri Lankan Cricket Committee (SLC) Upali Dharmadasa has claimed that the national players will get their salaries after the completion of the series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Dharmadasa, “We are awaiting the money from the ICC soon after they have finalized their audit of the World Cup which we believe have been completed.”

He further added that due to some renovation work and construction of a new stadium, the expenditures have increased. He added, “We are struggling financially today because of such unnecessary expenditure.”

Earlier, when reports were revealed of Sri Lankan players still being unpaid, Dharmadasa accepted that it was a fact. He said, “There is a truth in those media reports to a certain extent.”

According to the SLC chief, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to pay $4-5 million for hosting the World Cup 2011. He said that the payments will be made to the players as soon as the payments are cleared.

Sri Lanka is currently playing a Pakistan hosted series in the UAE. The team has been unable to perform well on the tour until now and trail by 0-1 in the three-match Test series with one more match remaining.

The tourists managed to draw the first match of the series, courtesy a fabulous double ton by veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara and a valiant century from wicketkeeper batsman Prasanna Jayawardene.

However, Pakistan lost seven catches during the Sri Lankan second innings, which proved to be the main reason behind the drawn game.

The Men in Green bounced back in the second Test, winning it comfortably by nine wickets. The star of the show for the team was off-spinner who picked up eight wickets in the match, earning the player-of-the-match award.

Ajmal bowled really well and got assistance from the Dubai wicket, which turned and bounce quite a lot, causing plenty of problems for the batsmen.

The Sri Lankan skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan will now be under immense pressure, as he has been unable to win a Test since becoming captain after the ICC World Cup 2011. He has led the team in eight games until now.

© 2011 Bloomberg