Sri Lanka has asked 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 believes the Pakistan India match boycott could have serious financial and sporting consequences for the tournament and the host nation.
Reports say Sri Lanka Cricket has formally written a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In the letter, Sri Lanka highlighted that the high-profile match between Pakistan and India was scheduled to be played on 15 February in Colombo and its cancellation would cause major revenue losses.
Sri Lanka Cricket stated that non-participation in such a major fixture would have long-term effects. These include financial losses, reduced tourism income, and lower global interest in the tournament, especially for Sri Lanka as a co-host country.
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In its message to the PCB, Sri Lanka Cricket also referred to the long-standing relationship between the two cricket boards. It urged Pakistan to consider the broader interests of international cricket and the exceptional circumstances surrounding the tournament.
This development comes after the Government of Pakistan decided not to allow the national team to play against India. With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup starting on 7 February in India and Sri Lanka, all of Pakistan’s matches are scheduled in Colombo, making the Pakistan India match boycott a key issue for the tournament’s future.
