Indo-Pak clash: 'We had 400,000 ticket applicants for that match'
New Delhi: Amid calls for boycott, the clamour for tickets for the marquee ODI World Cup clash between India and Pakistan in Manchester on June 16 has reached a crescendo, with more than 400,000 applicants for the 25,000 seater Old Trafford stadium.
Top India cricketers like Harbhajan Singh has called for boycott of the Pakistan group league encounter while veterans such as Chetan Chauhan wants India to put pressure on ICC by threatening to boycott the whole event.
ICC World Cup tournament director Steve Elworthy, during a promotional event in London, said that demand for tickets for the Indo-Pak group league clash is way more than Australia vs England game or the final at the Lord's.
"That particular game (India vs Pakistan), we had over 400,000 applications for tickets, which is an incredible number. The stadium (Old Tarfford) only holds 25,000 people. So there are a number of disappointed people. That's just locally, but (there is also) the audience globally," Elworthy was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
In fact, the former South African pacer then provided the numbers which is an indicative that how much the match means for world cricket's governing body.
"To put that (number) in perspective, England vs Australia was around 230-240,000. And the final was around about 260-270,000 applications for tickets. So that gives you a bit of perspective for the demand for this match (India v Pakistan). It's a big game. They could end up playing each other in the final (too), you never know." ICC Chief Executive David Richardson, in a statement on Tuesday, had said that "there is no indication that any (of the) matches at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will not go ahead as planned," even as they monitor the situation.
Harbhajan Singh was the first big name in the Indian cricket fraternity to say India should not play Pakistan in the World Cup. Harbhajan said India should consider boycotting their World Cup match against Pakistan in Manchester on June 16. "The simple thing is.. what's more important? Does the country come first or does India come first? Keep sports aside," Harbhajan said. "First, let us sort out the other issues.
"World Cup is very small when it comes to the country. 40 people who have lost their lives. Who is going to pay for that? We have to stand united with the country. Even if we don't play the 2019 World Cup, it won't matter," he said.
On the other hand, Azharuddin said India should not play Pakistan at any level if they have decided to boycott bilateral series. "If we are not playing Pakistan in bilateral series, we should not play them anywhere. I agree with Harbhajan, the World Cup cannot be bigger than the country." Azharuddin was captain when India played Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup in the aftermath of the Kargil War. He recalled he was worried spectators from sides could end up clashing during the game.
