2015 ICC World Cup: Tickets for India-Pakistan encounter sold out in record time

Cricket fans are set to throng the Adelaide Oval for the big-ticket match

According to the South Australian government, the tickets for the much-anticipated 2015 World Cup match between India and Pakistan were sold out in an astonishing 12 minutes.

The arch-rivals are set to face one another on February 15, 2015, at the Adelaide Oval, which has been refurbished for the World Cup. The ground can hold a maximum of 50,000 spectators, and 20,000 Indians are estimated to be part of the crowd on the day.

"We have just completed a new stadium at Adelaide, a great venue for cricket and we are very excited to host the India-Pakistan game. It will be a full house with many Indians and Pakistanis living in Australia in attendance along with around 20,000 fans coming from India,” John Rau, deputy premier of South Australia, told PTI.

"The general tickets were sold out in 12 minutes for the mouthwatering match at the 50,000 plus capacity stadium but fans still can buy holiday and business packages,” Rau added.

We wanted to host the high-profile fixture: Rau

He also said that the authorities at the Adelaide Oval were very keen, right from the very start, to have the marquee clash between the two countries at the stadium.

"We were very clear that we wanted to get that game, to have the opportunity of having visitors from that part of the world. As a government policy we have decided to have greater engagement with India, both cultural and business. We have a 10-year strategy for India and besides culture and trade, we want to promote sports as well,” he said.

India, who are the current defending champions, have never lost to Pakistan in the World Cup, and they will be looking to keep their record intact when they take them on early next year.