Need to rework FTP so that we can have more Tests with India, Australia, England: SLC chairman Wickramaratne
Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Eran Wickramaratne is advocating for a restructuring of the ICC's Future Tours Programme to increase Test match opportunities against top-tier nations. He emphasizes the financial importance of playing against India and the need to balance the calendar against the dominance of T20 and 50-over formats.
Why it matters
The statement underscores the financial and structural challenges faced by smaller cricket boards in maintaining the viability of the Test format within a congested global schedule.
Sri Lanka Cricket interim committee chairman Eran Wickramaratne on Sunday (August 23, 2026) suggested a suitable rejigging of ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) so that the country can play more Test matches against top nations like India, England, and Australia.
Sri Lanka played two Tests against the West Indies in June-July after a year-long hiatus, and currently are engaged in a two-match series against India.
The island nation is scheduled to play six more Tests this year, two each against Pakistan and New Zealand (away) and two against South Africa at home.
“I think it's the international calendar which is causing this issue of us not playing enough Tests, and this is the format we want to do well. But the tours are determined by the FTP and we're hoping to have more tours with India in the next (World Test Championship) cycle,” Wickramaratne told select media.
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