Airfares for flights from Delhi to Colombo have surged sharply following the confirmation of the India vs Pakistan clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The much-anticipated encounter between the arch-rivals is scheduled to take place on February 15 in Colombo, triggering a spike in travel demand.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the decision to go ahead with the high-profile fixture has helped the International Cricket Council (ICC) avoid a potential revenue loss of nearly USD 174 million, underlining the massive commercial significance of an India-Pakistan contest.
The development came after the Pakistan government officially cleared its national team to face India in the tournament. Confirming the decision, the Government of Pakistan released a statement on Monday, stating that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been briefed by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi following high-level discussions involving the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions as well as the request of friendly countries, the government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the statement said.
The ICC, in its official release, emphasized unity and cooperation among member boards to ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament.
“The dialogue between ICC and PCB took place as part of a broader engagement, recognising the need for constructive dealings and a shared commitment to serve the best interests of the game with integrity, neutrality and cooperation,” the ICC stated.
It further added that all participating members had agreed to honour their commitments and take all necessary steps to ensure the success of the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Addressing concerns related to Bangladesh, the ICC reiterated its continued support for cricket in the country, highlighting its fan base of over 200 million people, and stressed that the team’s non-participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 would not have any long-term impact on the sport’s growth in the region.
