Sri Lanka Urges Pakistan to Reconsider India Match Boycott in T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka has formally reached out to the Pakistan Cricket Board, urging them to reconsider their stance on the impending T20 World Cup match against India. This encounter, set to take place on February 15 in Colombo, is regarded as one of the biggest events in the cricket calendar.
Pakistan’s Decision to Boycott Match
The Pakistan government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, announced a decision to withdraw from the match against India. This move was made to demonstrate support for Bangladesh, which had requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their matches from India. Bangladesh’s request stemmed from concerns over safety amid escalating political tensions with India.
ICC’s Response to Safety Concerns
However, the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request, stating there was no credible security threat present. As a result, Bangladesh was excluded from the T20 World Cup, being replaced by Scotland.
T20 World Cup Schedule
The tournament is set to commence in Colombo, with Pakistan facing the Netherlands in their opening match. This initial game will take place on Saturday at 05:30 GMT.
- Date of India-Pakistan Match: February 15
- Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Pakistan’s Opening Match: Against the Netherlands on Saturday
The ongoing situation highlights the complexities of cricket governance amid political climates. Sri Lanka hopes to see a resolution that allows for the highly anticipated match to proceed as planned.
