ICC has paused ticket sales for the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match due to uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation amid boycott talks and ongoing discussions.
India vs Pakistan (image credits : X)
Ticket sales for the much-awaited India vs Pakistan group match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have been put on hold by the International Cricket Council. The match is scheduled to take place on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, but uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation has forced the ICC to delay the sale of tickets. While tickets for other matches in the tournament are already available on the official ICC website, the India–Pakistan game is still missing from the ticket portal.
The main reason behind this delay is the lack of official confirmation from the Pakistan Cricket Board. Although reports and social media posts from the Pakistan government suggest that the country may boycott the match, the PCB has not yet shared any formal decision with the ICC. Because of this uncertainty, the ICC does not want to risk selling tickets for a match that might not happen. The boycott talk is linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions and Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh. Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the tournament after raising security concerns about playing matches in India. This development has added more confusion to the situation and has played a role in Pakistan considering its stance on the tournament.
At the same time, the PCB has reportedly avoided issuing an official boycott notice to the ICC. Doing so could create serious financial and logistical problems if tickets are sold and the match is later cancelled. To avoid losses and fan disappointment, the ICC has chosen to wait until there is full clarity before releasing tickets for the match. Behind the scenes, ICC officials are in discussions with PCB representatives in an effort to find a solution that allows the match to go ahead as planned. Other cricket boards, including Sri Lanka Cricket, have also stepped in and publicly appealed to Pakistan to reconsider its position. They have pointed out that cancelling such a high-profile match would lead to major economic losses for Sri Lanka, especially in tourism and local business revenue.
India vs Pakistan matches are among the biggest attractions in world cricket. They generate huge income through ticket sales, television rights, sponsorships, and advertising. Any uncertainty around this fixture affects not only fans but also broadcasters and commercial partners who rely heavily on the match. For now, the situation remains unclear, and fans around the world are waiting for a final decision. If the match is confirmed at the last moment, ticket sales are expected to surge rapidly, as millions of fans would rush to secure seats for one of the most watched and talked-about matches of the T20 World Cup.
