February 10, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has conveyed his appreciation to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for backing the decision to allow the high-profile India–Pakistan encounter at the T20 Cricket World Cup to go ahead in Colombo as planned.
In a message shared on social media, the President said Sri Lanka, as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, was pleased that consensus had been reached to ensure the continuation of the much-anticipated fixture. He also acknowledged the role played by the International Cricket Council and other stakeholders in navigating the complexities surrounding the match.
Reflecting on cricketing history, President Dissanayake pointed to the 1996 Cricket World Cup, recalling how both India and Pakistan stood by Sri Lanka by agreeing to play in Colombo at a time when security concerns had led others to hesitate. He noted that such gestures of solidarity had left a lasting impression and continued to resonate decades later.
The President’s remarks underlined Sri Lanka’s broader view of sport as a bridge between nations, expressing satisfaction that cricket’s biggest rivalry would once again be played on Sri Lankan soil, reinforcing the island’s place as a trusted and welcoming host on the global sporting stage.
Thank you Prime Minister @CMShehbaz for ensuring the game we all love goes on. Delighted that the eagerly awaited India and Pakistan match at the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup in Colombo will proceed as planned.
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) February 9, 2026
As co-host of the tournament, Sri Lanka thanks the @ICC and all…
