The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly delayed the sale of tickets for the much-anticipated Pakistan versus India match in the upcoming T20 World Cup due to uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.
Although the high-profile encounter is still listed on the official schedule for February 15 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, supporters have been unable to secure tickets. The ICC has already released tickets for other fixtures at the same venue, including several Super 8 matches, but the Pakistan-India clash remains unavailable for purchase and is marked only with a “commence soon” notice on the ticketing platform.
Pakistan’s team has already reached Colombo to prepare for the competition, while India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, confirmed that his side’s travel arrangements for the match are finalized. Despite this, the ICC has yet to announce a specific date for ticket sales, suggesting that officials are awaiting confirmation on whether the game will proceed as scheduled.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the delay stems from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) failure to provide a final decision to the ICC regarding participation. Efforts by both the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to settle the issue through informal discussions have reportedly not produced a breakthrough, with Pakistan maintaining its current stance.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also reiterated the government’s position, stating that Pakistan will not face India in the event and emphasizing that political issues should not interfere with sports.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket, serving as co-host, has appealed to the PCB to reconsider, warning that a boycott of such a major fixture could lead to significant financial losses for organizers, broadcasters, and other stakeholders involved in the tournament.
In recent developments, Sri Lanka Requests PCB Continue Match Against India
