India and Pakistan are scheduled to play a match on February 15 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday wrote a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) urging it to reconsider its decision to boycott the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.TimesofIndia.com is in possession of a two-page letter written by SLC in which he reminded the PCB of Sri Lanka’s past support to Pakistan during challenging times and urged the board to reconsider its stance. The letter also highlights the significant financial, logistical and reputational consequences for the co-hosts if the game does not go ahead as planned.
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“We wish to place on record that Sri Lanka is very much looking forward to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, particularly as the host venue for the matches allocated to Sri Lanka. All commercial, operational, logistical and security arrangements for these matches have already been completed. This includes, but is not limited to, hospitality planning and match ticket sales,” the letter said.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!“It is pertinent to note that ticket sales for the matches to be held in Sri Lanka, particularly the India v Pakistan match, have already been completed and have seen exceptionally strong demand, with tickets selling quickly, reflecting the unprecedented public interest and significant business expectations for cricket in Sri Lanka. Any non-attendance of a planned marquee match of this nature and significant potential losses would therefore have far-reaching financial implications. expected tourism inflows and wider economic benefits resulting from increased international interest in the tournament.The board pointed out that tickets for the matches in Sri Lanka, particularly the India-Pakistan match, were sold at extraordinary demand, underlining the unprecedented public interest and significant business expectations.SLC warned that not participating in an exhibition stand of this scale would have far-reaching consequences, exposing the board to major financial losses as well as affecting tourism inflows and the wider economy.“The Government of Sri Lanka is mindful of the potential impact of a boycott given the significant economic benefits expected from hosting these matches. Any change to the scheduled matches would therefore affect not only Sri Lanka Cricket but also the wider range of stakeholders involved in ensuring the successful running of the tournament.” Six Sri Lankan players were injured in March 2009 when gunmen opened fire on their team bus as it traveled to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for a Test match.The incident led to international teams staying out of Pakistan for almost a decade. This streak was broken when Sri Lanka became the first to play a Test match in Pakistan after a gap of 10 years (in 2019). “In this regard, it is respectfully recalled that Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sri Lanka National Team have on several occasions traveled to Pakistan and participated in international matches despite exceptionally challenging and sensitive circumstances, including serious security incidents. These included, inter alia, an attack on the national team’s convoy, resulting in injuries to some Sri Lankan players and officials, who suffered injuries with serious consequences and permanent psychological trauma. In recent cases, other security incidents, including bombings in the region, have placed additional emotional and professional pressure on team members, with some being forced to consider withdrawing from ongoing engagements,” the SLC said in the letter.Newswire, a Sri Lankan media outlet, reported that Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sector has already felt the impact of Pakistan’s announced decision to skip the February 15 match in Colombo with widespread cancellation of hotel bookings at several Colombo-based establishments.“Despite the gravity of these circumstances, Sri Lanka Cricket, in close coordination with the Government of Sri Lanka, remained steadfast in its support of Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board and continued to honor its commitments to international cricket in the wider interest of the game and international solidarity at a time when several other cricketing nations were hesitant or unwilling to go to Pakistan.”“In light of this longstanding support and cooperation, the SLC respectfully expects that the same spirit of reciprocity and mutual respect will prevail, especially where the relevant matches are to be played in Sri Lanka, a country that has provided all guarantees with regard to security, neutrality and professionalism.“In view of the above and if any decision has indeed been taken to boycott or abstain from the India vs Pakistan match scheduled for 15 February 2026, we respectfully and solemnly request the PCB to reconsider the decision. We request you to take into account the exceptional circumstances, the ongoing relationship between our two governing bodies and the wider interests of the game of cricket.”“We humbly request that the Pakistan team attend all the scheduled matches in Sri Lanka, including the above mentioned match, in true sportsmanship and without selective abstinence, for the benefit of the tournament, its stakeholders and millions of cricket fans around the world.“We thank the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Government of Pakistan for their utmost attention to this matter and we respectfully await a positive response as soon as possible.”
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Pakistan’s government announced on Sunday that its men’s cricket team will not take the field against arch-rivals India on February 15, without giving a reason for the decision.“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team will not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15 against India,” the Pakistan government said in a post on X.
