The International Cricket Board (ICC) and the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are reportedly putting their best efforts into convincing Pakistan to participate in their highly valued match with India on February 15 in Colombo.
It was previously bought under the light that the SLC had sent a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with the request not to boycott the much-discussed match. Pakistan’s decision to skip their match against India will not only harm the International Cricket Council (ICC) but can also damage Sri Lanka’s financial income, as the India vs Pakistan 2026 T20 World Cup match has the potential to increase the island nation’s income through their tourism system.
Sri Lanka’s economic situation can be hurt badly
SLC informed me that arrangements, the ticket-selling process, security protocols, and travel allowances are all prepared for that particular match. If the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB remains firm on their decision to boycott the match, that will put a bad impression on the economy of Sri Lanka and the entire cricket ecosystem.
According to another media report, despite SLC’s plea to PCB to reconsider their stance, Pakistan may not shift their position. Which means the letter Sri Lanka sent to Pakistan might have left no positive result at all.
“Yes, we have received the letter, but we can’t overturn the government’s decision. The call is firmly with the government,” PCB sources confirmed to The Hindustan Times.
Pakistan may not change their stance
The decision to boycott the 15th February match with India is entirely a decision made by the government of Pakistan on Sunday. Though the decision might be heavily influenced by the PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also an entire minister of the nation.
Through a social media post, the government confirmed that their men’s team will take part in the T20 World Cup 2026 but will not take the field against India.
“We have taken this stand after careful deliberation and decided that on this matter, we must stand with Bangladesh and support them. We have taken a very clear stand that we will not play the match against India. Pakistan believes that this is sport, not politics, and there should be no politics in sport,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told his cabinet on Wednesday.
As a country are losing because of this decision: SLC
Later, it was reported that Sri Lanka wrote to Pakistan with the request to withdraw their boycott call, highlighting some past incidents where Sri Lanka came forward to support the nation even under constant threat to the security of players.
Last year, the cricket team of the island nation toured Pakistan despite the explosion by a suicide bomber that killed several in Islamabad hours before the ODI match between the two countries in Rawalpindi. After the incident, multiple Sri Lankan players wanted to leave Pakistan immediately, but the SLC forced them to stay there and play the matches according to the original fixtures.
“We categorically told them that not only Sri Lanka cricket but also we as a country are losing because of this decision. They are hurting our nation’s economy. It will hurt tourism here in the country. Our economy will take a hit because of this one decision,” Bandula Dissanayake, secretary of SLC, said.
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