Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has formally urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its reported decision to boycott the high-profile first-round match against India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
In a communication sent on Thursday, SLC warned that Pakistan’s non-participation in the marquee fixture could have serious financial repercussions for Sri Lanka Cricket and negatively impact the country’s tourism sector, which is still recovering from the 2022 economic crisis.
“Any non-participation will have wide-ranging implications, including substantial financial exposure for SLC and the potential loss of anticipated tourism inflows,” the Sri Lankan board said. It also appealed to Pakistan to consider the long-standing relationship between the two boards and the broader interests of international cricket.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, facing each other only in ICC and regional tournaments. Their matches are among the most watched events in world cricket and generate significant commercial and tourism revenue.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to run from February 7 to March 8, 2026. India will open the tournament on home soil against the United States, while Pakistan are set to begin their campaign on the same day with a group match against the Netherlands in Colombo.
Despite the reported boycott of the February 15 Pakistan-India group-stage clash in Colombo, the two arch-rivals could still be forced to meet later in the tournament if both teams advance to the knockout stage. Pakistan captain Salman Agha said that any such situation in the semi-finals or final would be discussed with the government before a decision is taken.
The development follows the Pakistani government’s directive barring the national men’s team from playing against India at the mega event. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the stance earlier this week, stressing that sports should remain free of politics and calling the decision “appropriate” after careful deliberation.
Meanwhile, Indian media reports suggest that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has initiated behind-the-scenes efforts to defuse the situation. ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja has reportedly been tasked with engaging in informal talks with the PCB to explore possibilities for resolving the impasse and ensuring the blockbuster fixture goes ahead.
With the tournament fast approaching, the Pakistan-India clash remains one of the biggest talking points, carrying significant sporting, financial, and diplomatic weight for all stakeholders involved.