Cricket fans rushing to secure flights for the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash in Colombo are facing a steep price hike, with round-trip fares from Mumbai to Colombo surging by Rs 10,000 within minutes
of the match confirmation.
The Mumbai-Colombo-Mumbai round trip now costs approximately Rs 60,000 as excitement reaches fever pitch ahead of the much-awaited February 15 clash.
The dramatic rise in prices comes after the Pakistan government reversed its earlier decision to boycott the high-profile fixture. Following back-channel discussions involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Sri Lanka Cricket, and the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan agreed to take the field against India, ending uncertainty over the tournament’s most lucrative match.
Pakistan Takes U-Turn On India Match Boycott
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the decision via the official government social media account, citing “requests from friendly countries” — including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the UAE — as well as outcomes from multilateral discussions. “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, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the tweet read.
The announcement immediately triggered a surge in travel and accommodation bookings, with fans scrambling to secure a spot for the iconic India-Pakistan encounter, widely regarded as the highlight of the T20 World Cup.
The India-Pakistan rivalry, known for its massive fan following and high stakes, is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators to Sri Lanka, further driving up prices and creating a frenzied atmosphere among cricket enthusiasts.
