Sri Lanka has announced enhanced security measures for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with special focus on the India-Pakistan clash. Elite armed units will protect all participating teams.
The island nation is co-hosting the tournament with India. Twenty matches will take place between February 7 and March 8. India and Pakistan are set to meet on February 15 in Colombo.
Cricket matches between India and Pakistan have long been sensitive due to political tensions. Sri Lankan officials said they are prioritizing safety to ensure a smooth tournament.
“From the time teams arrive at the airport until their departure, they will be under armed protection,” a senior official told AFP, requesting anonymity.
Elite commando units, normally assigned to heads of state, will guard players throughout the event. Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage emphasized special attention on India-Pakistan matches.
Previously, India and Pakistan avoided traveling across their border for sporting events. The International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to hold their T20 World Cup games in Sri Lanka on neutral ground.
Bangladesh had requested its matches be moved from India due to security concerns. The ICC rejected the request, prompting Bangladesh to withdraw from the tournament. Scotland was added as a replacement. Pakistan may still consider boycotting in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka has remained neutral amid these regional disputes. Cricket Secretary Bandula Dissanayake stated Colombo does not want to take sides in conflicts among India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
In addition to security measures, Sri Lanka is upgrading its cricket venues for the T20 World Cup. New floodlights have been installed at the Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The Pallekele Stadium in Kandy, which survived a recent cyclone, will host a T20 match between Sri Lanka and England.
Officials hope the security plan and venue upgrades will allow all matches to proceed without incident. The focus on safety aims to reassure players, fans, and visiting teams during this high-profile tournament.
The T20 World Cup promises to be a competitive and closely watched event, with both sports and regional tensions in the spotlight. Babar Azam could soon lead a team in the upcoming PSL season. Read our full coverage to see which team he might captain and the latest updates.
