‘India, Pakistan, Bangladesh are all friendly nations’ – SLC breaks silence on 2026 T20 World Cup row

Sri Lanka Cricket has said it has deliberately chosen to stay out of the controversy involving Bangladesh, Pakistan and India ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, citing friendly relations with all three nations.

The build-up to the tournament has been overshadowed by Bangladesh being dropped from the competition after refusing to travel to India over security concerns. The situation briefly escalated further when Pakistan indicated it could also consider pulling out of the tournament, although those fears have eased in recent days, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) going on to announce its squad for the World Cup.

Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Bandula Dissanayake said the board had taken a conscious decision not to be drawn into regional disputes. 

“In these disputes among India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, we are remaining neutral; all of these are friendly nations,” Dissanayake said speaking to AFP in Colombo.

He added that Sri Lanka would be open to hosting future tournaments or matches involving any of the countries if approached.

Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India came after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from the IPL by the BCCI, which cited “recent developments” as the reason. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s request for alternative arrangements and subsequently removed them from the tournament, naming Scotland as their replacement.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will play all of their matches in Sri Lanka under an agreement with the ICC that runs until 2027. The arrangement was put in place after India declined to travel to Pakistan for last year’s Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka is set to host 20 of the tournament’s 55 matches, including six Super Eight games, with the most high-profile fixture being the India–Pakistan Group A clash on February 15 in Colombo.

Preparations for the World Cup have also seen Sri Lanka upgrade the infrastructure, including the installation of new floodlights at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC). Security measures have been heightened as well, with Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage stressing the importance of the marquee fixture. He said the India–Pakistan match had been given the “highest priority” and that authorities were “paying special attention to the India–Pakistan games” ahead of the tournament.