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  "path": "/news/1971254/t20-world-cup-sri-lanka-urges-pakistan-to-reconsider-boycotting-india-match",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-05T18:49:06.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.dawn.com",
  "tags": [
    "Sport",
    "decision",
    "not to play",
    "economic meltdown",
    "consult"
  ],
  "textContent": "Sri Lanka’s cricket board on Thursday asked Pakistan to reconsider its decision to boycott their first-round encounter with arch-rival India in the T20 World Cup co-hosted by the island.\n\nPakistan decided not to play India on February 15 in Colombo to express solidarity with Bangladesh, who were excluded from the tournament after refusing to play their matches in India.\n\nPakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade and meet only at global or regional tournament events.\n\nSri Lanka Cricket (SLC) told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that a boycott would result in a financial hit and also hurt the island’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the 2022 economic meltdown.\n\n“Any non-participation will have wide-ranging implications, including substantial financial exposure for SLC and the potential loss of anticipated tourism inflows,” the board said.\n\nIt recalled that Sri Lanka had toured Pakistan to express solidarity and revive international matches there when other nations stayed away due to security concerns.\n\n“We urge you to take into account the exceptional circumstances, the enduring relationship between our two boards, and the broader interests of the game of cricket,” SLC said, calling on Pakistan to play their scheduled match against India.\n\nIndia start the T20 World Cup on home soil against the US on Saturday. Pakistan play their first match of the tournament, also on Saturday, in Colombo against the Netherlands.\n\nDespite Pakistan’s boycott of their scheduled match against India on February 15 in Colombo, the arch-rivals may be forced to play each other if they reach the knockout stage.\n\nIf Pakistan were to face India in a semi-final or final, they would consult the government, skipper Salman Agha said earlier on Thursday.",
  "title": "T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka urges Pakistan to reconsider boycotting India match"
}