The India vs Pakistan clash in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 has turned Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo into a fortress. This high-voltage match is scheduled to take place in Colombo on Sunday (February 15).
Sri Lankan Police arrested R. of Colombo. Very strong security plans have been made for the India vs Pakistan match at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. They are not taking any chances.
Armed guards deployed for India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match
After the end of the T20 World Cup 2026 match in Colombo, security will remain with the players till they return to the airport. “We, the Sri Lanka Police, have organized a very special traffic and security arrangement,” PTI quoted police spokesperson FT Wootler as saying.
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He also revealed that security officials will have to “deploy armed guards from the moment both the teams exit the airport. They will be provided with armed guards till they return to the aircraft.”
Fans have also received clear instructions for the much-awaited India vs Pakistan match. Fans have been asked to reach the stadium at least four hours before 7 pm IST. Doors will open at 3 pm. Officials want a smooth entry and there should not be a last-minute crowd outside the ground.
“All gates will be opened by 3 p.m.,” Wootler said. “We urge the public to get to the grounds as early as possible if possible.”
Fear of boycott, U-turn, sell-out crowd and T20 World Cup record
India vs Pakistan tickets have been completely sold out. But the buildup to this T20 World Cup 2026 group match was full of drama. Earlier, Pakistan had announced that they would be boycotting the India match to show support towards Bangladesh, who were pulled out of the tournament by the ICC after refusing to travel to India due to illegal security concerns.
Then serious discussions started between PCB, ICC and BCB. Even Sri Lanka requested Pakistan to reconsider. Ultimately, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reversed the decision, and later, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake thanked him for the call.
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This match will be India’s first game away from home in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Both India and Pakistan have won their first two matches and are unbeaten.
However, this will be the ninth time when India and Pakistan will face each other in the T20 World Cup. India have won seven times, while Pakistan have won only once, including a famous 10-wicket win against Virat Kohli’s team in Dubai in 2021.
MSK Prasad says there are no favorites in India vs Pakistan match
Earlier, former Indian chief selector and former wicketkeeper-batsman MSK Prasad had refused to call the Men in Blue favorites to defeat Pakistan in Colombo. He said whoever acclimatises to the conditions first and plays accordingly will win the high-profile encounter on Sunday.
“It’s a 50-50 game. You can’t really pick favorites because it’s their home ground. A lot will depend on how quickly India can get used to the conditions and the dimensions of the ground,” India Today quoted Prasad as saying.
His statement justifies the current situation, as Pakistan has settled in Colombo, while India has just landed, and both the teams have talented spinners and have been in good form so far.