The uncertainty around the India vs Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup 2026 just continues to grow, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) now formally asking the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its reported decision to boycott the February 15 fixture in Colombo. The appeal comes after Pakistan’s government publicly confirmed that the team will not play India. What was supposed to be a seamless tournament is now grappling with its fair share of controversies and ugliness.
However, now, co-host Sri Lanka has formally urged PCB to take a U-turn, reminding them of the island nation’s own painful history with terror attacks and the support it extended to Pakistan when few others would.
SLC reminds Pakistan of 2009 terror attack
In a two-page letter sent on Thursday, Sri Lanka Cricket urged the PCB to reconsider its stance, pointing out that all commercial, logistical and security arrangements for the World Cup matches in Sri Lanka have already been finalised.
“We wish to place on record that Sri Lanka is highly anticipating the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, particularly in its capacity as a host venue for matches assigned to Sri Lanka. All commercial, operational, logistical and security-related arrangements in respect of these matches have already been finalised. This includes, inter alia, hospitality planning and the sale of match tickets,” the letter read, as per TOI.
“It is pertinent to note that ticket sales for the matches scheduled to be hosted in Sri Lanka, in particular the India versus Pakistan fixture, have already been finalised and have recorded exceptionally strong demand, with tickets being sold fast, reflecting unprecedented public interest and significant commercial expectations for Sri Lanka Cricket.”
Sri Lanka warns Pakistan if IND vs PAK doesn’t happen
“Any non-participation in a scheduled marquee fixture of this nature would therefore have wide-ranging implications, including substantial financial exposure for SLC and the potential loss of anticipated tourism inflows and broader economic benefits arising from heightened international interest in the tournament.”
“The Government of Sri Lanka is attentive to the potential impact of a boycott, given the significant economic benefits expected from hosting these matches. Any change to the scheduled fixtures would therefore affect not only SLC but also the wider range of stakeholders involved in ensuring the successful conduct of the tournament.”
How Sri Lanka helped Pakistan, but can PCB return favour?
Sri Lanka just put a mirror in front of Pakistan as they recalled the times when the country stood firm with them. International cricket stayed away from Pakistan for nearly a decade after the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore on March 3, 2009, which left eight people dead and several players injured. Pakistan were forced into a prolonged period of isolation, hosting their home matches in the UAE.
A generation of Pakistani fans grew up without watching their national team play at home. The slow return began only in the mid-2010s, with Zimbabwe touring in 2015, followed by a World XI series in 2017. Sri Lanka played the biggest role in restoring confidence, returning for a lone T20I in Lahore in October 2017, a full limited-overs tour in 2019, and later that year, a two-match Test series that marked the official return of Test cricket to Pakistan after a 10-year gap.
“In this context, we respectfully recall that Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sri Lanka National Team have, on several occasions, toured Pakistan and participated in international fixtures notwithstanding exceptionally challenging and sensitive circumstances, including serious security-related incidents,” SLC said.
“These have included, inter alia, the attack on the national team convoy, as a result of which certain Sri Lankan players and officials sustained injuries, some of whom continue to carry physical impacts from those injuries to date, while others were left with profound and lasting psychological trauma.” Despite those circumstances, Sri Lanka continued to tour Pakistan when several other nations were reluctant.
“Notwithstanding the gravity of these circumstances, Sri Lanka Cricket, in close coordination with the Government of Sri Lanka, remained steadfast in its support of Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board, and continued to honour its commitments to international cricket in the broader interests of the game and international solidarity.” SLC has now asked for the same approach in return. In view of the foregoing, and if any decision has indeed been taken to boycott or abstain from participating in the India vs Pakistan match scheduled for February 15, 2026, we respectfully and earnestly request the PCB to reconsider such a decision.“
Pakistan’s political stand and where India, ICC stand
Pakistan’s decision to boycott the India match has now been officially owned by the government. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that the move was taken as a political stand in support of Bangladesh after the ICC removed them from the T20 World Cup. Until his statement, there had been no formal explanation from either the government or the PCB. India, meanwhile, has stayed clear of the politics. The team will travel to Colombo as scheduled and be present at the venue on February 15. The ICC has also made no move to alter the fixture so far.
