SLC steps in as Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB calls for IND vs PAK boycott at T20 World Cup 2026

Sri Lanka cricket warns Mohsin Naqvi [Source: @OfficialSLC, @richardnovay/x]The Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been urged to reconsider their India boycott in the upcoming 2026 ICC T20 World Cup by tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka. It is worth noting that earlier this month, the Pakistan government barred the Pakistan team from facing arch-rivals India at the showpiece event on political grounds. The government also likely announced its radical decision in a bid to demonstrate their support for the ousted Bangladesh team. In any case, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva has now reportedly written a letter to the PCB to reconsider their non-participation in the big-ticket India vs Pakistan match. Sri Lanka mediates, explains repercussions of India vs Pakistan boycott As reported by Newswire, SLC President Shammi Silva has written to the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB to reconsider their boycott stance on the much-awaited India vs Pakistan match. In the letter, the Sri Lanka board highlighted that the ticket sales for the matches, particularly those of India vs Pakistan, have already been completed and recorded exceptionally strong demand. The Sri Lanka Cricket official also issued a stern warning to the Pakistan board regarding their impending non-participation. The letter stated that pulling out from the big-ticket India vs Pakistan match will have 'wide-ranging implications', including financial exposure and the loss of the anticipated tourism inflow in the island nation. The Newswire report further claimed that the tourism in Sri Lanka has already taken a severe hit ever since the Pakistan government and the PCB confirmed Pakistan’s pull out from their Group A match against India earlier this month. The letter concluded with Sri Lanka officially urging the PCB to allow the Pakistan team to play all their 2026 T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka as per schedule, for the sake of “shareholders and the millions of cricket fans worldwide”. Why did Pakistan boycott its India match? Earlier this month, the Pakistan government prevented the Pakistan team from facing India at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in the height of severing geo-political ties between the two countries. It is worth noting that during the 2025 Asia Cup last year, players from both sides refused to interact with each other considering the continental event was organised in the aftermath of an all-out cross-border conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours. The Indian team also refused to collect the Asia Cup trophy from ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his controversial remarks against the Indian Army. Pakistan to play remaining matches as per schedule, ICC in damage-control mode The Pakistan team is slated to play their remaining Group A fixtures as per the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup schedule. Led by all-rounder Salman Agha, the ‘Men in Green’ will face Netherlands in the tournament’s curtain raiser on February 7 in Colombo. The Pakistan team will also face the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18 at the same venue.With the PCB and the Pakistan government remaining adamant about their decision to boycott the India match on February 15, the Jay Shah-led ICC is currently in the midst of a full-scale damage control.