The ICC T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan has been sold out as over 5 lakh fans have already booked their place to attend the showpiece event in Australia, starting October 16. The clash between the arch-rivals, scheduled at the MCG on October 23, is sold out, “with additional standing room tickets snapped up within minutes of going on sale”.

“An official re-sale platform will be launched closer to the event, where fans can exchange tickets at face value,” ICC said in a release. The ICC said “fans from 82 different countries have purchased tickets to watch the world’s best players from 16 international teams, marking the return of full stadiums at ICC events for the first time since the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020, which culminated with 86,174 fans for the final at the MCG.”

“Current ticket allocations are also all sold for the double-header at the SCG on 27 October featuring South Africa vs Bangladesh and India vs Group A runners-up. Fans are encouraged to join the waitlist in the event of additional tickets becoming available.”

The governing body said “only a very limited number of tickets remain for Australia’s opening Super 12 fixture against New Zealand at the SCG on 22 October, the double-header featuring Pakistan vs Group A runners-up and India vs South Africa at Perth Stadium on 30 October”.

Pak umpire Rauf dies

Former Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf has died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Lahore. He was 66. Rauf made his first appearance as an umpire in international cricket in 2000.

He officiated in 64 Tests (49 as on-field umpire and 15 as TV umpire), 139 ODIs and 28 T20Is and was one of the leading umpires in the mid 2000s.

Rauf fell from grace when the BCCI banned him in 2016 for involvement in alleged corruption during the IPL. He had come under suspicion after being named as one of the accused in the IPL spot-fixing scandal in 2013.