Twenty20 organisers to issue standing-room-only tickets after all seats for India-Pakistan match sold out in 5 minutes
India's captain Virat Kohli plays a shot as Pakistan's wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan looks on. AFP
The Melbourne Cricket Ground authorities had to issue standing-room-only tickets for the India-Pakistan group-stage match in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup after all seats at the stadium were sold out within five minutes.
The Twenty20 World Cup organisers said another 4,000 tickets would be sold for Oct. 23 match for areas where standing is the only option for viewers.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) can hold up to 100,000 according to Australian rules for football matches and over 90,000 for cricket.
The organisers said that issuing the tickets ensure that as many fans as possible can attend.
Matches between Pakistan and India at the Cricket World Cup usually sell out quickly due to the lack of bilateral tours involving rivals.
India overtook Pakistan by 5 runs in the inaugural T20 World Cup final in 2007 in South Africa.
Pakistan won the next edition with an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 2009 Lord's Final.
Six countries have won the title, with the West Indies (2012 and 2016) being the only double champions.
The 2022 edition will begin on October 16 and end with a final on November 13 at the MCG.
Australia are the defending champions after winning their first men's T20 World title in Dubai last year.
Australia was supposed to host both Twenty20 World Cups in 2020, but the tournament was postponed due to travel COVID-19 restrictions.
Australia won the women's final against India in March 2020 in front of an audience of over 86,000 at the MCG.
