Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for prioritising profits over promotion and passion for the game in the USA with sky-rocketing ticket prices for the marquee clash between India and Pakistan on June 9 in New York. Modi took to social media to bash the ICC for $20,000 (approx 1,665,138 rupees) ticket prices in the Diamond Club section at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
On X, Modi wrote, “Shocked to learn that ICC is selling tickets for Diamond Club at $20000 per seat for the #indvspak WC game. The WC in the US is for game expansion & fan engagement, not a means to make profits on gate collections. $2750 for a ticket It’s just #notcricket #intlcouncilofcrooks.”
As per the ICC, the India-Pakistan game ticket prices range from $300 (now sold out) to $10,000.
Besides, a USA Today report also stated that the resale prices for these tickets have surged.
The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup is scheduled from June 2 to 29 in the Caribbean and the USA.
While the West Indies had hosted the tournament earlier in 2010, the USA is co-hosting the 20-team tournament for the first time.
India and Pakistan are drawn in Group A alongside the USA, Canada and Ireland. The Men in Blue begins their campaign against Ireland on June 5 before taking on the arch-rivals on Sunday (June 9).
India-Pakistan craze
Of all the ties at the top level, India vs Pakistan is considered the mother of all clashes. The two Asian giants are the former T20 World Cup winners, with India winning the maiden edition in 2007 and Pakistan winning it next time in 2009 in England.
India and Pakistan always walk into any ICC tournaments as favourites.
Although India held the upper hand (in the head-to-head tie) with five wins in as many contested matches till the 2016 edition at home, they suffered a shocking ten-wicket defeat at the hands of Pakistan in 2021 in the UAE. The Men in Blue won the famous 2022 clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where Virat Kohli played an iconic knock of 82* in a run chase.
However, with this being the highlight clash of every ICC event, all eyeballs will be on this high-octane clash in Group A.
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