Pakistan has being asked by Sri Lanka to change their mind about not attending the 2026 T20 World Cup match against India. On February 15, India and Pakistan will play in the highly anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. On February 1, however, the Pakistani authorities said that the men’s cricket squad will not play against India.
In a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva reportedly urged them to reevaluate their choice to forfeit the match against India in Colombo.
Although Pakistan is anticipated to play in the tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket stated in the letter that it had learned from media reports that a decision might have been made to skip the India vs. Pakistan match, which is set for February 15, 2026, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka Cricket emphasized that all commercial, operational, logistical, and security procedures for matches assigned to Sri Lanka have already been concluded, and the nation is looking forward to hosting the tournament. This covers organizing the hospitality and selling tickets to games.
The letter underlined that unusual demand for tickets to Sri Lankan fixtures, especially the India-Pakistan encounter, has resulted in record-breaking public interest and high commercial expectations.
Non-participation in such a high-profile match would have far-reaching consequences, including significant financial risk, the loss of expected tourist inflows, and wider economic repercussions, Sri Lanka Cricket said.
Sri Lanka Cricket recalled previous collaboration, pointing out that the national team has visited Pakistan on multiple occasions in difficult and delicate situations, such as during times of significant security events when other cricketing nations were reluctant to do so. The two boards made these judgments with good intentions, respect for one another, and a spirit of sportsmanship.
As a result, Sri Lanka Cricket stated that it anticipates the same reciprocal attitude to prevail, guaranteeing complete security, impartiality, and professionalism for every match held in the nation.
Finally, for the benefit of the competition, its stakeholders, and millions of cricket fans around the world, Sri Lanka Cricket humbly asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to reevaluate any decision to boycott or selectively abstain from the India vs. Pakistan match. It also urged Pakistan to play in all of the scheduled matches in Sri Lanka.
