India vs Pakistan T20 WC clash has sent fares from Delhi, Mumbai flying past the Rs 1 lakh mark

The India vs Pakistan group stage clash in the T20 World Cup on February 15 has received clearance following back-channel discussions among the International Cricket Council, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, ending days of uncertainty.

The high-profile match is scheduled to be held in Colombo on Sunday, February 15, with the contest set to begin at 7 p.m. at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The confirmation not only averted a potential financial setback for the tournament but also triggered a sharp surge in travel demand.

Dramatic rise in flight fares

Soon after the announcement, flight ticket prices from Delhi and Mumbai to Colombo witnessed a significant increase as fans rushed to secure last-minute travel arrangements.


A Delhi to Colombo ticket, which was typically priced at around Rs 30,000, rose to over Rs 90,000. Business class fares for the same route were reported at approximately Rs 2,25,000.

From Mumbai, the three-hour flight to Colombo is now costing up to Rs 60,000 for economy and premium economy is Rs 84,000 on Air India for travel on February 15, reflecting heightened demand ahead of the match.

Similarly the fares on SriLankan Airlines for Mumbai-Colombo sector has is up to Rs 63,340 for economy and Rs 1,34,157 for business class.

For Delhi-Colombo sector the prices have risen to Rs. 1,39,000 for economy and over Rs. 2,00,000 for business class

Hotel rates mirror aviation trend

Following the announcement of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash, hotel tariffs in Colombo have risen sharply, mirroring the spike in airfares. For the nights of February 14 and 15, per-night rates for double rooms in premium three- to five-star hotels have increased to between Rs 1.05 lakh and Rs 1.06 lakh. Typically, these rooms are priced in the range of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 per night.

Pakistan U-turn on Ind vs Pak clash

Pakistan had earlier announced a boycott of the India match in solidarity with Bangladesh, which was dropped from the tournament after refusing to travel to India citing security concerns.

However, the decision was reversed following intense negotiations involving the ICC, the PCB and the BCB. In an official statement, the Pakistan government said it reviewed requests from multiple cricket boards as well as friendly nations before directing its team to proceed with the match.

Pakistan’s earlier stance had raised concerns within the ICC, as the India-Pakistan fixture is considered the most lucrative in world cricket. The clash is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators to the Colombo stadium, with ticket prices surging and fans awaiting the high-stakes encounter.