Colombo recalls 2009 Lahore attack, security incidents as Pakistan skips India match
Sri Lanka has firmly reminded Pakistan of its long record of terrorism-linked security failures after Islamabad announced it would boycott its high-profile T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India in Colombo, citing political considerations.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has written a formal letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), urging it to reconsider the decision to stay away from the India–Pakistan fixture scheduled for February 15, 2026, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
While Pakistan has said its national team will participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup—co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka—it has made clear it will not play India, triggering a standoff with the ICC and threatening significant commercial losses for Sri Lanka as host.
Sri Lanka warns of financial and logistical fallout
In its letter, SLC noted that Sri Lanka has already completed all commercial, operational, logistical, and security preparations for the tournament, including ticket sales and hospitality arrangements. The absence of the marquee India–Pakistan match, one of world cricket’s biggest revenue drivers, could cause substantial financial damage to Sri Lanka Cricket.
The letter underlined that Sri Lanka is “highly anticipating” the tournament and has acted in good faith as a host nation, expecting participating teams to honour their commitments.
Colombo recalls Pakistan’s terror record and past attacks
In a pointed reminder, Sri Lanka recalled that it stood by Pakistan even when the latter became synonymous with terrorism-driven insecurity that drove international cricket away for over a decade.
SLC specifically referred to the March 2009 Lahore terror attack, when heavily armed terrorists targeted the Sri Lankan team convoy, killing security personnel and injuring players and officials. The attack forced Pakistan into sporting isolation, with no international cricket hosted for years due to global safety concerns.
Sri Lanka noted that its players still live with the physical injuries and psychological trauma from that attack—an incident widely seen as emblematic of Pakistan’s failure to rein in terror networks operating on its soil.
Despite bombings, Sri Lanka continued touring Pakistan
The letter further highlighted that Sri Lanka continued touring Pakistan even after subsequent security incidents, including bombings and a suicide attack in Islamabad in 2025, which again exposed Pakistan’s fragile internal security environment.
Despite players expressing fear and considering withdrawal, Sri Lanka Cricket said it honoured its commitments in coordination with the Sri Lankan government—at a time when several other cricketing nations refused to send teams to Pakistan due to terrorism risks.
Pakistan’s boycott contrasts with Sri Lanka’s solidarity
SLC stressed that its consistent support for Pakistan was extended “in the broader interests of the game and international solidarity,” even as Pakistan struggled with terror-linked instability that it failed to decisively address.
The letter implicitly contrasts Sri Lanka’s past solidarity with Pakistan’s current refusal to separate sport from politics—despite enjoying the benefits of international acceptance rebuilt on the back of trust shown by teams like Sri Lanka.
ICC yet to take a final call
The ICC has not yet issued a final decision on how it will handle Pakistan’s refusal to play India. However, Sri Lanka’s intervention lays bare the contradiction of Pakistan demanding special treatment while ignoring its own history as a security liability that once pushed world cricket to the brink.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- Sri Lanka flags Pakistan’s terror-linked past in letter amid T20 World Cup boycott row - February 6, 2026
- RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in first policy review after Union Budget 2026 - February 6, 2026
- “Drowned in liquor”: PM Modi takes sharp swipe at AAP, Congress, and TMC in Rajya Sabha - February 5, 2026
