Sri Lanka are all set to host India and Bangladesh for a T20I tri-series to be held in March, 2018.

The tri-series is being held to mark the 70th year of Sri Lanka’s independence along with 70 years of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as well.

Named as the Nidahas Trophy 2018, the tournament will be played between March 8 and 20 at the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo with each team playing each other twice before the finals.

“70 years is a long journey, and one that needs to be commemorated and celebrated. We are happy that our closest neighbours, who share more or less the same journey of independence are joining us in this celebration, which we believe will be a milestone and an augur of the great things to come in the annals of cricket,” SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala 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,” BCC President Rahul Johri added.

Their Bangladesh counterpart Nazmul Hossain stated: “the support and contribution of Sri Lanka [and India] in Bangladesh’s cricketing journey could not be overemphasized, and that 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,” he added.

India and Sri Lanka are currently locked in a Test battle at the Eden Gardens in the first of the three-match series. This will be followed by three T20Is and as many ODIs.