Sri Lanka increases security for India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup clash

by Devesh Jaganath

image Sri Lanka increases security for India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup clash
We are just days away from the start of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, and the teams, as well as host venues, are completing the final preparations for what is expected to be a thrilling tournament. One of the biggest matches at the competition is India vs Pakistan, and the host nation Sri Lanka are taking no chances when it comes to security for this blockbuster.

Armed forces to be deployed for T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka

The first toss at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup will go up this Saturday, February 7, and what will follow is a month of hard-hitting action until a champion is crowned on March 8. We will be covering every match at the tournament in our T20 World Cup predictions. 

As is the case in every global cricket competition, fixtures between India and Pakistan carry an added sense of interest given the historic rivalry between the nations on and off the field, and the match between these two sides at the upcoming World Cup will be no different. 

Indeed, given the tensions between the two countries, matches between the Men in Blue and the Shaheens are now played at neutral venues, and the clash on February 15 will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

In the last week, it has been reported that Sri Lanka will be taking no chances around security for the blockbuster fixture and will be deploying elite armed units to protect teams at the tournament to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Speaking to the media, sports minister Sunil Kumara said: 

“Sri Lanka has given the highest priority to ensuring the tournament runs smoothly and is paying special attention to the India-Pakistan matches. In these disputes among India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, we are remaining neutral, all of these are friendly nations.”

Aside from the security aspect, Sri Lanka is also using the World Cup as an opportunity to improve its cricketing infrastructure, with the Singhalese Sports Club receiving new floodlights, while other venues are being prepped to be match-ready for any weather challenges. 

Pakistan to boycott T20 World Cup match against India

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While Sri Lanka are taking extra precautions for the match between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, there is now a major doubt around whether the fixture will actually go ahead after developments on Sunday afternoon. 

Pakistan announced that they will participate in the global tournament, but revealed that they are going to boycott the match against India after the ICC’s decision to remove Bangladesh from the tournament last week. On their official social media account, the Government of Pakistan wrote: 

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”

The ICC have yet to respond to the announcement but are expected to do so in the coming days. Pakistan are drawn in Group A for the T20 World Cup, alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States.