The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans to consult its government regarding Sri Lanka’s request to reconsider the boycott of the upcoming T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo.
The PCB has received government approval to send the national team to the T20 World Cup, but has been instructed not to participate in matches against India, which is considered a significant commercial event for the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its broadcasters.
Sri Lanka’s Concerns
Sri Lanka Cricket has expressed concerns over the financial implications of not hosting the February 15 match between India and Pakistan. In an email to the PCB, they highlighted that the absence of this marquee event would lead to financial losses for the Sri Lankan board and negatively impact the tournament’s reputation in the country, which is co-hosting the event with India.
Communication Between Boards
The source revealed that Mohsin Naqvi, PCB Chairman, was contacted directly by Sri Lankan Board President Shammi Silva, who emphasized the necessity for Pakistan to support Sri Lanka. Silva pointed out that without matches involving Pakistan and India, the Sri Lankan board would miss out on substantial revenue from ticket sales and hospitality.
Naqvi assured Silva that he would discuss the matter with the government and respond accordingly.
Clarification on Reports
Reports suggesting that Pakistan had outright rejected Sri Lanka’s request were clarified by a source, stating that Naqvi was not in the country at the time of the correspondence but would address the issue with the Prime Minister upon his return.
The source also mentioned that the Sri Lankan government had previously supported Pakistan during a tour when some players expressed concerns about security, indicating a history of cooperation between the two cricket boards.