Sri Lanka’s cricket team faces an investigation into alleged “scandalous behaviour” during its dismal tour of New Zealand, including drinking parties and squabbling, the AFP quoted the sports minister as saying on Tuesday.

Dayasiri Jayasekera said he had been handed photos of national players attending all-night parties just before crucial matches against hosts New Zealand, who achieved a virtual clean sweep in the just-ended tour.

“There was scandalous behaviour,” the minister told AFP. “They have not only attended drinking parties till three and four in the morning, but there was a lot of tension and friction among members.”

Sri Lanka went to New Zealand as defending champions of the shortest form of the game, but slipped to third position this month behind the West Indies and Australia after their resounding defeat in the Twenty20 matches.

Sri Lanka also lost the Tests 0-2 and the one-day series 1-3 to the hosts.

“When they return, I want to call the team and along with Thilanga (Sumathipala, new Sri Lanka Cricket president) try to find out what happened,” the minister said.

“My main concern is the breakdown in discipline. When that is affected, the team naturally performs badly,” he said of reported squabbling between players, including the captain, and the coach. (The Express Tribune)

-Agencies