Sri Lanka Appeals to Pakistan to Reconsider India Match Boycott in T20 World Cup
**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily):** Sri Lanka Cricket has appealed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) 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 formally written to the PCB, warning that the cancellation of the high-profile Pakistan–India match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo could result in significant financial losses for Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan board highlighted that encounters between the two traditional rivals attract massive global attention and generate substantial revenue for the host nation. It said that if the match does not take place, there could be a major decline in expected income from ticket sales, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and tourism-related activities.
In its message, Sri Lanka Cricket stated that the non-participation of any team would have far-reaching consequences, including direct financial losses and a reduction in the number of visiting cricket fans and tourists. The board urged Pakistan to view the issue beyond a single match and consider the broader interests of international cricket and the host country.
The letter further emphasized the long-standing relationship between the two cricket boards and requested Pakistan to review its decision in light of the prevailing circumstances to avoid harm to the tournament and Sri Lanka’s economy.
This development comes after the Government of Pakistan decided to prevent the national team from playing against India in the T20 World Cup, creating uncertainty around one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures.
Earlier, Indian media also reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was considering behind-the-scenes efforts to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its stance.
It is worth noting that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan scheduled to play all its group matches in Colombo.
