An India-Pakistan Match at an ICC Event Could Be Called Off for the First Time in History

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has formally written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as they announced that the national men's team won't be permitted to play against India. In its letter to PCB, SLC also stated that all plans are in place for the match between the two arch-rivals and that there will be heavy losses if the fixture doesn't go according to schedule.

What’s Inside the Letter?

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), which would have earned substantial revenue from ticket sales, has now written to the PCB to reconsider its decision and come on board to play the fixture against India according to the original schedule.

"We write to you with reference to recent media reports through which Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been apprised of the position of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in relation to Pakistan's participation in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. From the said reports, it is understood that the PCB has confirmed that its National Team will participate in the tournament, with all matches involving Pakistan scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka. At the same time, it has also been reported that a decision has been taken not to participate in the India vs Pakistan match scheduled to be played on 15 February 2026 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo,” the SLC President Shammi Silva wrote in the letter.

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“In this regard, 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 added.

“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 are recording exceptionally strong demand, with tickets selling fast, reflecting unprecedented public interest and significant commercial expectations for Sri Lanka Cricket,” SLC wrote.

“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. I also wish to highlight that 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 Sri Lanka Cricket but also the wider range of stakeholders involved in ensuring the successful conduct of the tournament,” the letter added.

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“Yes, we have received the letter, but we can't overturn the government's decision. The call is firmly with the government,” PCB sources confirmed.

Closing Note
 

International matches did not take place in Pakistan for close to a decade after the Sri Lanka team was attacked in Lahore in March 2009. SLC stated that it has always been there to help Pakistan cricket, and now it's their turn to return the favour. The Sri Lanka board cited how the players were attacked in 2009, and even the previous tour of Pakistan was brought into the conversation.

In its concluding remarks, SLC stated that the board expects the same support and cooperation that PCB received from them in past incidents. Now the ball is firmly in Mohsin Naqvi's court, as a refusal to play in the fixture against India might worsen relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) brought Scotland in as a replacement in Group C after multiple failed attempts to get Bangladesh to understand and come on board. If the contest doesn't go ahead as scheduled, India would be awarded two points, and Pakistan’s net run rate would take a severe hit, putting their qualification for the next round in jeopardy. Considering the money at stake in the India-Pakistan contest, all the stakeholders will incur severe losses.