T20 World Cup: SLC invokes 2009 terror assault reminiscence in letter to PCB after determination to boycott India match | Cricket Information – The Instances of India – Imperial Wire

India and Pakistan are schedule to play the match on February 15 on the R. Premadasa Worldwide Cricket Stadium in Colombo

NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wrote a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday, urging it to rethink its determination to boycott the India vs Pakistan fixture on the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for February 15 on the R. Premadasa Worldwide Cricket Stadium in Colombo.TimesofIndia.com is in possession of the two-page letter written by SLC, by which it reminded the PCB of Sri Lanka’s previous assist to Pakistan throughout difficult instances and urged the board to rethink its stance. The letter additionally highlights important monetary, logistical and reputational penalties for the co-hosts if the sport doesn’t go forward as deliberate.

“We want to place on report that Sri Lanka is extremely anticipating the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026, significantly in its capability as a number venue for matches assigned to Sri Lanka. All industrial, operational, logistical and security-related preparations in respect of those matches have already been finalised. This contains, inter alia, hospitality planning and the sale of match tickets,” the letter learn.Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“It’s pertinent to notice that ticket gross sales for the matches scheduled to be hosted in Sri Lanka, specifically the India versus Pakistan fixture, have already been finalised and have recorded exceptionally sturdy demand, with tickets being offered quick, reflecting unprecedented public curiosity and important industrial expectations for Sri Lanka Cricket. Any non-participation in a scheduled marquee fixture of this nature would subsequently have wide-ranging implications, together with substantial monetary publicity for SLC and the potential lack of anticipated tourism inflows and broader financial advantages arising from heightened worldwide curiosity within the match.”The board identified that tickets for matches in Sri Lanka, particularly the India–Pakistan fixture, have been offered amid distinctive demand, underscoring unprecedented public curiosity and important industrial expectations.SLC cautioned that non-participation in a marquee fixture of this scale would have far-reaching penalties, exposing the board to main monetary losses whereas additionally impacting tourism inflows and the broader economic system.“The Authorities of Sri Lanka is attentive to the potential impression of a boycott, given the numerous financial advantages anticipated from internet hosting these matches. Any change to the scheduled fixtures would subsequently have an effect on not solely Sri Lanka Cricket but in addition the broader vary of stakeholders concerned in making certain the profitable conduct of the match.” Six Sri Lankan gamers had been wounded in March 2009 when gunmen opened hearth on their crew bus because it was driving to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for a Check match.The incident led to worldwide groups staying away from Pakistan for practically a decade. That streak was damaged when Sri Lanka turned the primary to play a Check match in Pakistan after a 10-year hole (in 2019). “On this context, we respectfully recall that Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sri Lanka Nationwide Staff have, on a number of events, toured Pakistan and took part in worldwide fixtures however exceptionally difficult and delicate circumstances, together with critical security-related incidents. These have included, inter alia, the assault on the nationwide crew convoy, because of which sure Sri Lankan gamers and officers sustained accidents, a few of whom proceed to hold bodily impacts from these accidents to this point, whereas others had been left with profound and lasting psychological trauma. In more moderen situations, additional safety incidents, together with bombings within the area, positioned further emotional {and professional} pressure on crew members, with some compelled to ponder withdrawal from ongoing engagements,” SLC mentioned within the letter.Newswire, a Sri Lankan media outlet, has reported that Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sector has already felt the impression of Pakistan’s reported determination to skip the February 15 match in Colombo, with widespread lodge reserving cancellations throughout a number of Colombo-based properties.“However the gravity of those circumstances, Sri Lanka Cricket, in shut coordination with the Authorities of Sri Lanka, remained steadfast in its assist of Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board, and continued to honour its commitments to worldwide cricket within the broader pursuits of the sport and worldwide solidarity, at instances when a number of different cricketing nations had been hesitant or unwilling to tour Pakistan,” the letter learn.“In gentle of this longstanding assist and cooperation, SLC respectfully expects the identical spirit of reciprocity and mutual respect to prevail, significantly the place the matches in query are scheduled to be performed in Sri Lanka, a rustic that has prolonged each assurance with regard to safety, neutrality and professionalism.“In view of the foregoing, and if any determination has certainly been taken to boycott or abstain from taking part within the India vs Pakistan match scheduled for February 15, 2026, we respectfully and earnestly request the PCB to rethink such a choice. We urge you to have in mind the distinctive circumstances, the enduring relationship between our two Boards and the broader pursuits of the sport of cricket.“We humbly request that the Pakistan crew take part in all scheduled matches in Sri Lanka, together with the aforesaid fixture, within the true spirit of sportsmanship and with out selective abstention, for the advantage of the match, its stakeholders and the thousands and thousands of cricket followers worldwide.“We thank the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Authorities of Pakistan for the very best consideration given to this matter and respectfully stay up for receiving a constructive response at your earliest comfort.”

On Sunday, the Pakistani authorities introduced that its males’s cricket crew won’t take the sector in opposition to arch-rivals India on February 15, with out stating the rationale behind the choice.“The Authorities of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Staff to take part within the ICC World T20 2026; nonetheless, the Pakistan Cricket Staff shall not take the sector within the match scheduled on February 15 in opposition to India,” the Pakistan authorities mentioned in a put up on X.