New Delhi, February 5 (). The Pakistan government has boycotted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against India to be held in Colombo on 15 February. Cancellation of this high voltage match will cause huge financial loss to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The board has written a letter to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding this.
T20 World Cup 2026 is to be played co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. According to reports, the co-host is going to raise this issue with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the financial loss he is facing.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has told the PCB about the huge loss suffered by Pakistan after Pakistan’s decision not to play India in Colombo and said that all the arrangements regarding this match have been completed.
SLC, in its letter to the PCB, has said that there have also been reports of large-scale cancellation of hotel bookings in Colombo, which has affected the tourism sector. In this letter, Sri Lanka’s past support to Pakistan in difficult times has been remembered and a request has been made to think again on this.
However, a former Pakistan cricketer has rejected this move of SLC and said that the matter is in the ICC court.
Speaking to over phone, a former Pakistani cricketer said, “What difference will it make if Sri Lanka Cricket writes to the Pakistan Cricket Board? The matter is now with the International Cricket Council. The PCB has been instructed by the Pakistan government not to play India in Colombo. SLC requesting the PCB to play on February 15 citing financial losses will not help.”
With the postponement of the India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup, there will be a big impact on tourism in Sri Lanka. SLC has also decided to take up this matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
It is reported that due to advance booking for this big match, there were more bookings in hotels in Colombo. Now that the match is in doubt, cancellations are expected to increase.
Airlines may also come under pressure as special travel plans made around this high-profile match are being reconsidered. Tour operators and local businesses, which had prepared for the increase in visitor numbers, may now suffer losses. Industry experts have warned that if the situation is not resolved, the tourism sector, an important sector of Sri Lanka’s economy, could suffer significant losses. That’s why Sri Lanka Cricket is taking action. The information sent to the PCB is the first step in this direction, because he wants the PCB to also bear this burden.
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