T20 World Cup co-hosts Sri Lanka have asked Pakistan to reconsider their boycott of India’s match in Colombo on February 15.
Published on February 5, 2026
Sri Lanka’s cricket board on Thursday asked Pakistan to reconsider its decision to boycott the first-round match against arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup, which the island is co-hosting.
Pakistan made a decision Not for playing India to express solidarity with Bangladesh on 15 February in Colombo Eliminated from the competition After refusing to play their matches in India.
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Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for over a decade and only meet in global or regional tournaments.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) told the Pakistan Cricket Board that the boycott would be a financial blow and would also hurt the island’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the economic downturn of 2022.
“Any non-participation will have wide-ranging consequences, including substantial financial exposure for SLC and potential loss of expected tourism flows,” the board said.
It is recalled that Sri Lanka toured Pakistan to express solidarity and resume international matches when other countries stayed away due to security concerns.
“We request you to consider the exceptional circumstances, the enduring relationship between our two bodies and the wider interest of the game of cricket,” Sri Lanka Cricket said in requesting Pakistan to play their scheduled match against India.
India will start the T20 World Cup at home against USA on Saturday. Pakistan will play their first match of the tournament against the Netherlands in Colombo on Saturday.
Although Pakistan boycotted their scheduled match against India in Colombo on February 15, the arch-rivals could be forced to play each other if they reach the knockout stage.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha said on Thursday that he will consult with his government if Pakistan face India in the semi-finals or final.