Huge anticipation for India vs Pakistan World Cup match

MELBOURNE: The anticipation for the India-Pakistan cricket World Cup clash on February 15 in Adelaide has been huge among Indian and Pakistani diaspora living Down Under.

While millions would be glued to their television sets to watch the world's greatest cricket rivalry of all time, thousands of Indians and Pakistanis are expected to converge from interstate and globe at the Iconic Adelaide Oval to witness the game.

The tickets of the game were completely sold out within hours after the sale began a few months ago and is expected to pull the largest crowds of the two nations living in Australia at one place.

The 140-year old Oval has been recently redeveloped and the capacity has been increased to over 50,000 with new world class spectator facilities.

Raj Chauhan, who has been selling travel packages in Sydney on behalf of ICC official travel agent, Corporate World Connect, said, "There is an expectation that over 16,000 people are travelling from Sydney alone to see the game."

"There would be thousands travelling from Melbourne and hundreds from Brisbane and other parts too. In Sydney, we have completely sold out the One-night accommodation travel package," he said.

A Melbourne resident Rahul Gupta, who would be travelling to Adelaide by road, said, "I m excited. I have taken off from work and we are a group of eight including my nephew who is coming from New Zealand to see the game. My boss knows that its our World Cup."

In Adelaide, the atmosphere is also heating up with event managers organising pre and after match parties at bars and restaurants for cricket fans.

South Australia Tourism Commission, the apex body to promote tourism in the state, said the game is a real draw card as it will reach an anticipated global television audience of over one billion people.

"We are expecting around 60,000 visitors (interstate and overseas) in Adelaide for the Cricket World Cup (Feb - March time period) and this will bring an estimated 31 million Australian dollars in tourism expenditure," according to STAC officials.

"Adelaide is looking forward to welcoming visitors to the State for the Cricket World Cup, preparations are in full swing and we have India team presentation coming up on Feb 11, to officially welcome the India team."