India-Pakistan T20 WC Clash On: Sri Lankan President Thanks PM Sharif

• Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake thanked Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif for ensuring the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match proceeds as scheduled on February 15 in Colombo.
• Pakistan had initially decided not to play against India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were removed from the tournament.
• The decision to play came after high-level talks between PCB, ICC, and BCB, and a request from Sri Lanka's President.
• Sri Lanka, as co-host, thanked ICC and all involved for their efforts, recalling India and Pakistan's solidarity during the 1996 World Cup.
• Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup after their request to play all matches outside India was not agreed upon by the ICC.