Emotional Sri Lanka Urges Pakistan Strongly To Reconsider…
ICC Holds Fresh Talks With Pakistan Over February 15 Match
New Delhi: As the ICC continues fresh discussions with Pakistan in an effort to convince them to withdraw their boycott of the February 15 match against India in the Men’s T20 World Cup beginning on Saturday, February 7, co-host Sri Lanka has made an emotional and humble appeal to the Pakistan Cricket Board to take back its decision.
Pakistan’s February 15 match against India is scheduled to be played in Colombo. However, Pakistan has decided to boycott the match as a reaction to Bangladesh being expelled from the tournament for allegedly disrespecting ICC protocol. By announcing the boycott, Pakistan has effectively expressed its anger against India.
If Pakistan does not play the match against India, two points will be awarded to India, while Pakistan’s net run rate will suffer adversely. Pakistan will also face a financial loss amounting to crores of rupees. Even Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the government’s boycott decision as completely justified.
Taking all these crucial aspects into consideration, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has strongly urged Pakistan to withdraw the boycott and play the match against India in Colombo on February 15.
What Did Sri Lanka Write to Pakistan? How Did It Appeal?
Co-host Sri Lanka Cricket Board wrote to the Pakistan Cricket Board saying:
‘Being appointed by the ICC as a co-host of the World Cup is a very big matter for us. We have made all preparations for every match, including your match against India. Whether it is commercial contracts, ensuring stadium readiness, arrangements for transporting teams across the country, security preparations, hotel bookings, or ticket sales — all necessary planning has been completed.
If you do not play the match against India, we will suffer a huge loss. Our tourism industry will also be badly affected.
You may recall that after the terrorist attack on our team bus in Lahore in 2009, for several years other countries refused to tour Pakistan. Yet, we sent our cricket team. Some of our players and officials injured in that attack are still dealing with physical disabilities and psychological trauma.
At that time, our cricket board, along with our government, worked to rebuild cricket relations with you. We hope you will understand our difficulties and appeal, and withdraw the boycott of the match against India in Colombo.
We humbly request you to consider the relations between our two nations, the interest of the tournament, and the interests of all stakeholders, and to show the true spirit of sportsmanship by changing your decision and being ready to play against India on the 15th.’