Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has labelled Sri Lanka president Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the 'actual hero' who made Pakistan government take a U-turn on boycott of game against India in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The Pakistan government had decided to boycott the India game and PCB had lent their support to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as Bangladesh were removed from the tournament over refusal to play games in India. Naqvi revealed that Dissanayake called up Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and the conversations led to Pakistan ending their short-lived boycott.
"First of all, warm greetings from the President of Pakistan (Asif Ali Zardari) and the Prime Minister of Pakistan (Shehbaz Sharif). They specially asked me to convey their greetings to you. Actually, in yesterday's match, you were the actual hero because 2 billion people were entertained because of you. So, it is only because of you that we played the match," Naqvi told Sri Lanka president Dissanayake.
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"We were having several issues regarding playing with India, but as soon as the Prime Minister received your call, he called me up and said, 'There is no more issue... we have to play the match. That's it.' I am very thankful to you that you played a very critical role in this," he added.
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While Naqvi claimed that the game entertained 2 billion people, he wasn’t please Pakistan’s lacklustre performance at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on February 15. As Pakistan’s run chase was derailed and their loss was certain, Naqvi left the stadium, refusing to watch his team lose.
Pakistan NRR dips after heavy loss to India
Ishan Kishan's sensational 77 helped India post 175/7. In the run chase, Pakistan suffered a collapse and the required run rate slipped out of the grasp very early. They were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, losing the match by 61 runs, their second-biggest defeat in T20 World Cups in terms of runs.
Pakistan’s net run rate (NRR) took a major hit as they slipped to the third spot on Group A points table, below USA. Pakistan need a win against Namibia on February 18 to confirm their spot in the Super 8 stage. A loss to Namibia which looks unlikely would lead to Salman Agha-led side’s early exit from the tournament.