New Delhi: As the cricketing world gears up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, all eyes are set on the high-octane clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, scheduled for June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. This encounter is not just another match; it’s a continuation of one of the most storied rivalries in the sport’s history, promising to be a spectacle of passion and prowess.
The last time these two titans met in a T20 World Cup, the game was etched in the annals of cricket as a classic, with Virat Kohli delivering a masterclass innings that is still talked about by fans and pundits alike. The upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the USA and the Caribbean islands, is set to commence on June 1, with the showdown planned for June 29.
However, the build-up to the Group A fixture has been overshadowed by controversy, with former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi raising concerns over the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ticket pricing strategy. Modi has criticized the ICC for the exorbitant prices of the premium Diamond Club seats, which are being sold for a staggering “$20,000″ (approximately Rs 16,65,138) each. He argues that such pricing contradicts the ICC’s stated goal of expanding the game’s reach and engaging new fans in the USA.
The ICC has offered tickets ranging from the sold-out $300 tier to the high-end $10,000 options. Modi’s remarks come on the heels of a report suggesting that the resale market for these coveted tickets has seen prices soar to an unprecedented Rs 1 crore.
Team India is set to begin their World Cup journey on June 5 against Ireland in New York, followed by the much-anticipated match against Pakistan. The Indian squad will then take on the host nation, USA, before concluding their Group A matches against Canada.
The debate around ticket pricing has sparked a conversation about the balance between commercial interests and the promotion of cricket in new markets. As the event draws near, the cricket community awaits to see if the spirit of the game will triumph over the lure of profit.
