Pakistan To Withdraw India Boycott? After Sri Lanka’s Warning, Mohsin Naqvi Set To… - News18

The T20 World Cup commenced on Saturday with a match between Pakistan and the Netherlands in Colombo. However, uncertainty still looms over the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash set for February 15. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the team will stand in solidarity with Bangladesh and will not play against India in the tournament. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s President has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider this decision, emphasising the significant financial losses the Sri Lankan board might incur if the marquee fixture does not proceed as planned. According to PTI, the PCB is expected to consult its government once more to deliberate on the request from its Sri Lankan counterpart. “Obviously, Pakistan has always enjoyed very close and friendly ties with Sri Lanka at the government-to-government and cricket level. So the mail from their Board can’t be ignored just like that,” an agency source stated. The source added that Sri Lankan Board President Shammi Silva had directly contacted Mohsin Naqvi, reminding him of the crucial support Sri Lanka needs from Pakistan, noting that without the India-Pakistan matches, Sri Lanka would face substantial revenue losses from gate money and hospitality sales. Naqvi assured Silva that he would consult the government and respond accordingly. He clarified that media reports claiming Pakistan had already rejected Sri Lanka’s request were incorrect. “PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has not been in the country since yesterday and is due back today. He will inform the Prime Minister about the email regarding the boycott of the India match, and a decision will be made by Monday,” the source explained. The source further mentioned that as recently as last November, the Sri Lankan government strongly supported Pakistan when some of its players wanted to return home from a tour of Pakistan due to security concerns. “Not only the Sri Lankan Board but the government directed the players to complete the white ball tour.” (With PTI Inputs)