All ICC Cricket rules apply unless otherwise stated in these guidelines.

Format

• 6 players per side.
• Men’s Group Stage Matches: 5 overs per innings.
• Men’s Semi-Final Matches: 6 overs per innings.
• Men’s Final: 6 overs per innings.
• Women’s Matches: 5 overs per innings.
• Teams will be divided into two groups through a draw.
• Each team will play against all other teams in the same group.
• The top 2 teams from each group, based on points and NRR, will move to the semi-finals.
• Semi-Final 1: Group A #1 vs. Group B #2
• Semi-Final 2: Group B #1 vs. Group A #2
• The winners of the semi-finals will advance to the final.

Match Timing & Attendance

• All matches must start on time.
• The first match will start at 9:00 AM.
• All team members must be present at the ground at least 15 minutes before their scheduled match time.
• A minimum of 5 players is required to start a match.
• If a team does not have at least 5 players present within 10 minutes of the scheduled match start time, the match will be awarded to the opposing team.

Toss & Match Start

• The toss must be completed at least 10 minutes before the scheduled match start time.
• It is the Primary Umpire’s responsibility to conduct the toss and ensure it is completed on time.
• Both captains must be available and ready for the toss.
• Both captains must select their playing 6 in the CricClubs app at the time of the toss.
• The Primary Umpire must validate the team selections in CricClubs.
• Teams must be ready to begin immediately at the scheduled match time.
• The toss or team selection process must not delay the scheduled start of the match.

Players

• All teams must declare a roster of a maximum of 8 players.
• Only players listed on the official roster will be eligible to play.
• A player must participate in at least one group-stage match to be eligible for the semi-finals or final.
• Both captains must select their playing 6 in the CricClubs app at the time of the toss.
• Only the selected 6 players will be allowed to bat, bowl, or field unless a substitute is agreed upon by the opposing captain.

Dress Code & Safety Gear

• Shoes are mandatory for all players.
• Activewear or flexible jeans/pants are recommended for comfortable movement.
• Short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirts are recommended.
• Wicketkeeping gloves are strongly recommended for wicketkeepers, as the tournament ball weighs approximately 125–130 g.
• An abdominal guard is strongly recommended for male players for personal protection.

Umpires

• A Primary Umpire will be assigned for each match.
• The Leg Umpire will be provided by the batting team.
• Captains must check their team’s assigned umpiring responsibilities.
• The Primary Umpire has final authority over all decisions during the match.
• The Primary Umpire may override a decision made by the Leg Umpire when necessary.
• The Primary Umpire’s decision is final and cannot be challenged.
• If the Primary Umpire is unsure about a decision, the benefit of doubt will go to the batter.
• No arguing with umpires or players of the opposing team is allowed.
• Captains are responsible for resolving issues with the Primary Umpire and for the conduct of their team members.

Giving Guard

• It is NOT mandatory for the bowler to announce his guard to the umpire. The umpire will confirm with the bowler.
• The bowler must inform the umpire if changing the bowling arm or the side of the stumps.
• Failure to inform the umpire may result in a no-ball.

Equipment

• At the start of each game, balls will be provided by the organizers.
• Each innings must start with a new ball.

Bowling Format

• Maximum 2 overs per bowler.

No-Ball & Wide

• Runs will be awarded for wides and no-balls.
• The Leg Umpire may assist with height-related no-ball decisions; however, the Primary Umpire has final authority and may override the Leg Umpire’s decision.
• A no-ball will be called if:
  • The bowler oversteps the popping crease. Some part of the foot must remain behind the line.
  • The bowler’s back foot lands completely outside the return crease.
  • A shoulder-high bouncer is bowled. There is no allowance for one bouncer per over.
  • A waist-high full toss is bowled.
  • The ball bounces more than once before the batting crease.
  • Fielders talk or deliberately distract the batter during the bowler’s run-up.
• No Free Hit.
• On a no-ball, only a run-out dismissal is valid.
• “On the line” is considered a wide.

Byes / Leg-Byes

• Byes are allowed.
• Leg-byes are NOT allowed.

Dismissals

On a no-ball:

• Stumping → NOT OUT
• Hit Wicket → NOT OUT
• Run Out → OUT

Additional dismissal rules:

• If a batter steps on the stumps, the batter is OUT.
• If the batter’s equipment, including a cap, gloves, towel, or similar item, falls onto the stumps, the batter is OUT.
• If a catch is taken in a declared dead area, the batter is NOT OUT.
• If a catch is taken with the support of a baseball net, tree, fence, or any other external object, the batter is NOT OUT.
• When a batter is caught out, the incoming batter will take strike unless it is the end of an over.

Other Rules

• No Mankading allowed.
• No Runner allowed.
• Retirement Rule: A batter must retire at 30 runs but may return if all other batters are out.
• If a player is injured and the Primary Umpire confirms retirement, the player may return only as the last batter.
• Wicketkeeper changes are allowed between overs. There is no need to inform the umpire.
• Group-stage matches may end with a points split.
• Playoff matches must have a winner and will be decided by a Super Over if required.
• The chasing team from the original match will bat first in the Super Over.
• The boundary line between two cones is always considered straight.
• The last ball of the innings must be a fair delivery. An innings cannot end on a wide or no-ball.

Waiver & Liability

• Every player must complete and sign the official tournament waiver form before participating in any match.
• A player who has not signed the waiver form will not be allowed to participate.
• Participation in Lankan Cricket Fest 2026 is voluntary and at the player’s own risk.
• By signing the waiver, each player acknowledges and accepts the inherent risks associated with playing cricket and participating in tournament-related activities.
• To the fullest extent permitted by law, Serendibs Foundation, tournament organizers, volunteers, sponsors, venue representatives, and associated parties will not be held liable for injuries, accidents, illnesses, loss, theft, property damage, or other incidents resulting from or related to participation in the tournament.
• Each participant is responsible for their own health, safety, personal belongings, and decision to participate.
• The signed waiver form will govern the participant’s acknowledgment and acceptance of tournament risks and liability terms.

Ground Measurements

• Boundary: 150 feet
• Pitch Length: 66 feet
• Wide Crease at Striker’s End: 2 ft 11 in from the center of the wicket
• Bowler’s End Box Width: 4 ft 4 in from the center of the wicket
• Popping Crease: 4 ft from the wickets

Awards & Trophies

• Champion Team Trophy and Cash Prize
• Runner-Up Team Trophy
• Champion Team Players’ Trophies
• Final MVP Award
• Semi-Final MVP Awards
• Women’s Champion Team Players’ Trophies