Sri Lanka urges Pakistan to reconsider India boycott

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has appealed to Pakistan to reconsider its decision to boycott the match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

According to foreign media reports, Sri Lanka Cricket has requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its decision to boycott the match against arch-rivals India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

According to the report, Sri Lanka Cricket has formally written a letter to the PCB, pointing out that the cancellation of this high-profile match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo between the two arch-rivals will cause huge financial losses for Sri Lanka Cricket.

According to the report, Sri Lanka Cricket’s statement said that any non-participation will have far-reaching consequences, including significant financial losses to Sri Lanka Cricket and a reduction in expected tourism revenue.

The Sri Lanka Cricket statement further asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to “remember the extraordinary circumstances, the long-standing relationship between our two boards and the wider interest of cricket.”

This development comes after the Pakistan government decides to bar the men’s cricket team from playing against arch-rivals India.

Earlier this week, reports emerged in Indian media that the International Cricket Council was considering behind-the-scenes contacts to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its stance on the T20 World Cup match against India.

It should be noted that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. Pakistan will play all its matches in Colombo.