Are Fans Paying Rs. 100,000 on the Black Market for India–Pakistan T20 Clash?

Tickets for the highly anticipated India–Pakistan match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for Sunday, February 15, are reportedly being sold for as much as Rs. 100,000 on the black market.

The surge in prices comes amid intense interest across South Asia, with the fixture widely regarded as the marquee event of the tournament. According to informed sources, limited ticket availability and overwhelming demand have driven a thriving secondary market, pushing prices far beyond their original face value.

There have also been reports that tickets were prioritised for pre-registered fans, with only a limited number expected to be released on the ICC website this week. However, the ICC has remained unclear about the exact ticket allocation for the India–Pakistan encounter.

The excitement has also impacted travel costs. Indian media report that airfares between Mumbai and Colombo rose sharply within minutes of confirmation that the two teams would face off. News 18 reported that round-trip fares climbed to around Rs. 60,000 — an increase of nearly Rs. 10,000 shortly after the announcement. Air India’s Chandigarh–Colombo flights for February 15–16 were listed at approximately Rs. 63,000, while IndiGo fares ranged between Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 74,000. Flights from Delhi to Colombo were reportedly priced between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 45,000.

The spike in demand follows Pakistan’s earlier decision to boycott the match against India, citing geopolitical tensions. However, Pakistan later reversed its stance after government intervention.

“The government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan team to take the field on February 15, 2026, at the R. Premadasa International Stadium, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the government said in a statement on Monday.

The reversal came after discussions involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and the ICC. Cricket boards in Sri Lanka and the UAE had urged Pakistan to reconsider its boycott, while BCB President Aminul Islam also appealed for the match to go ahead.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed appreciation to Pakistan for revisiting its decision following three days of diplomatic talks between the two countries.

According to a report by The Indian Express, Pakistan’s decision to participate helped the ICC avoid a potential revenue loss of nearly $174 million.