Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which he requested Pakistan to play its scheduled match against India.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Sri Lankan president urged that Pakistan’s national cricket team should play the Pakistan–India match scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the sentiments expressed by the Sri Lankan president and recalled that Sri Lanka had stood by Pakistan during difficult times by continuing cricketing ties.
The prime minister also noted that the Sri Lankan cricket team had recently taken a memorable step by not cancelling its tour of Pakistan, a move appreciated by the Pakistani government and cricket fans.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif informed the Sri Lankan president that a final decision regarding the Pakistan–India match would be communicated after consultations.
During the conversation, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that Pakistan had fully supported Sri Lankan cricket during periods of terrorism in Sri Lanka. He added that Pakistan had always given priority to its long-standing relations with Sri Lanka and that the Pakistani cricket team continued touring Sri Lanka despite security challenges.
Meanwhile, sources said Pakistan has decided to play its scheduled match against India on February 15 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Sources added that both Pakistan and India will play the T20 World Cup fixture according to the announced schedule.
