The International Cricket Council (ICC), according to former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi, is profiting off the highly anticipated T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan by charging $20,000 (INR 16.6 lakh) for match tickets. The ninth ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will take place in the United States and the West Indies, the reigning champions, from June 1 to June 29.
On June 9, Rohit Sharma’s Team India, the winners of the first edition, will rekindle their historic rivalry with Pakistan on the biggest platform in New York. It is predicted that the India vs. Pakistan match would be sold out, thus fans will have a hard time getting tickets for the tantalizing match. An intense demand for tickets occurred in Ahmedabad following India’s World Cup matchup with Pakistan, their bitter rivals.
“The United States World Cup is for game expansion.”
Former IPL president Modi took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to criticize the Indian Cricket Board (ICC) over the cost of tickets for the Indo-Pak match in the T20 World Cup. “Shocked to hear that @ICC is charging $2000 per seat for Diamond Club tickets to the #indvspak WC match. In the US, the WC is not a way to earn from gate receipts, but rather a way to expand games and engage fans. A ticket costs $2750. Modi said, “It’s just #notcricket #intlcouncilofcrooks.”
Prior to this, Modi gave the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acclaim for the Indian Premier League’s outstanding performance. Modi praised India’s top cricket body for growing the lucrative competition. According to Modi, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the greatest sports league globally, and it is highly valued. In 2013, India’s cricket body suspended the previous IPL commissioner for life due to “indiscipline and misconduct”.
India and Pakistan’s World Cup rivalry
At the ICC tournament, India and Pakistan have squared off seven times. The giants of Asia also competed in the 2007 championship. In the 2007 edition, the Men in Blue and Green Army faced off twice. Since then, they have faced off in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021, and 2022. Nevertheless, India and Pakistan were not pitted against one another in the T20 World Cups in 2009 and 2010. In the 2021 edition, Pakistan memorably ended India’s winning run in World Cup matches by defeating Virat Kohli and company by 10 wickets. In their last Twenty20 World Cup match, India defeated Pakistan in the Melbourne Cricket Stadium in 2022.
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