Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has formally requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider reports of a potential boycott of the India vs Pakistan match scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
SLC President Shammi Silva has written to the PCB after media reports suggested that while Pakistan is expected to take part in the tournament, a decision may have been taken to abstain specifically from the high-profile India–Pakistan fixture set for February 15, 2026, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
In the letter, SLC said Sri Lanka is eagerly anticipating the World Cup in its role as a host nation and stressed that all key arrangements for matches allocated to Sri Lanka have already been finalized. These include commercial planning, operations, logistics, security protocols, hospitality preparations, and ticketing.
SLC noted that ticket sales for matches in Sri Lanka, particularly the Pakistan vs India match, have already been completed and saw exceptionally strong demand.
The board warned that any non-participation in a marquee fixture of this nature would carry wide-reaching consequences, including significant financial exposure, disruption to commercial commitments, and a ripple effect across tourism-linked activity.
According to information available to Newswire, Sri Lanka’s tourism and hotel sector has already felt the impact of Pakistan’s reported stance, with multiple hotel booking cancellations affecting several hotels in Colombo.
Industry sources say hospitality businesses had geared up for a surge in international visitors around the match window, and the cancellations have altered occupancy projections during the World Cup period.
The correspondence also underlined that the implications of a boycott would go beyond Sri Lanka Cricket itself. SLC said it, along with the Government of Sri Lanka, is mindful that the successful delivery of the tournament involves a wide network of stakeholders, and a disruption to the biggest fixture on the calendar could affect confidence and planning across the board.
SLC also referenced its past cooperation with Pakistan, recalling that the Sri Lankan team toured Pakistan on multiple occasions in challenging circumstances, including periods shaped by serious security concerns when other teams were reluctant to visit.
The board said those decisions were taken in good faith, reflecting sportsmanship and mutual respect, and argued that the same spirit of reciprocity should prevail now.
SLC reiterated that Sri Lanka has extended full assurances regarding security, neutrality, and professionalism for all matches hosted in the country.
In closing, the board urged the PCB to reconsider any decision to boycott or selectively skip the February 15 fixture and requested Pakistan’s participation in all scheduled matches in Sri Lanka for the benefit of the tournament, its stakeholders, and cricket fans worldwide.
