Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reportedly written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) urging it to reconsider its decision to boycott the group stage match against India, citing the heavy financial losses such a move could cause to many stakeholders.
The India-Pakistan match is widely regarded as world cricket’s biggest commercial draw, attracting massive global audiences and contributing significantly to the revenue generated during International Cricket Council tournaments.
Financial and tourism concerns highlighted
According to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, Sri Lanka Cricket’s executive committee met earlier this week and decided to formally convey their concerns to the PCB. In a letter sent on Thursday, SLC warned that it was not reporting Competition between India and Pakistan could have far-reaching financial implications.
Correspondence emphasized that a boycott could lead to significant revenue losses not only for the participating boards, but also for tournament organizers and host country stakeholders. SLC also warned of a potential adverse impact on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, including the possible cancellation of hotel bookings, flight bookings and disruption to local logistics and service providers involved in hosting the match.
Sri Lanka are scheduled to host the highly anticipated encounter and he stressed that the match is expected to be a sell-out event, attracting a significant influx of foreign and domestic fans. The board reiterated its readiness to host the match at the R Premadasa Stadium and confirmed assurances regarding logistics, security and overall match operations.
Warning of wider economic impact
According to Sri Lankan news channel Newswire, the SLC warned the PCB that not participating in a tournament of this magnitude could have far-reaching consequences beyond immediate cricketing concerns.
The report said the SLC warned of “significant financial exposure, loss of expected tourism inflows and wider economic impact” if the India-Pakistan match does not take place.
“The correspondence also indicated that Sri Lanka Cricket, together with the Government of Sri Lanka, are mindful of the wider impact that a boycott could have, affecting not only Sri Lanka Cricket but also a wide range of stakeholders involved in ensuring the successful conduct of the tournament,” the report added.
Link to Sri Lanka’s past support
In your communication, The SLC also reportedly reminded the PCB of the role Sri Lanka played in helping Pakistan cricket break out of international isolation after the 2009 terrorist attack Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.
The letter referred to Sri Lanka’s willingness to tour Pakistan on numerous occasions under “difficult and sensitive circumstances”, including when other cricketing countries were reluctant to visit due to security concerns.
The SLC expressed hope that the same spirit of reciprocity would prevail, noting that Sri Lanka had provided full guarantees of security, neutrality and professionalism for all matches held in the country.
Captains clarify team positions
Amid ongoing uncertainty, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said during a media interaction on Thursday that the Indian team will travel to Colombo for a scheduled match against Pakistan.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha, in a separate interactionstated that his party would proceed in accordance with the government’s orders.
Losses could reach $250 million
According to estimates cited in the news, the absence of India-Pakistan competition at the ICC event could result in financial losses of up to US$250 million, underscoring the commercial importance of the match and the urgency of the SLC’s appeal.
With commercial, logistical and diplomatic considerations now intertwining, it also remains to be seen whether Pakistan will reassess its stance in the coming days.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 5, 2026
