Cricket frenzy has gripped the fans after the announcement that Pakistan would play against India in the ongoing Men’s ICC World Cup on February 15.

Fans are counting down the days to this high-stakes, high-voltage encounter, while the Pakistan government’s decision has also sparked a surge in airfares, with tickets from Mumbai to Colombo shooting up dramatically.

As soon as the match was confirmed in the tournament schedule, a wave of excitement swept through tournament hosts — India and Sri Lanka — with social media discussions between Pakistani and Indian supporters reaching a fever pitch.

According to reports, a steep rise in ticket prices for flights from Mumbai to Colombo has been witnessed, with fares rising by up to Rs200,000.

The announcement has also injected new life into Colombo’s hotel industry, as thousands of fans rushed to secure accommodations immediately.

A spokesperson for Colombo’s hotel sector said that measures are being taken to ensure smooth services at all levels during the match, with arrangements in place to accommodate the influx of cricket enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, the tourism and airline sectors are fully mobilised to ensure fans face no travel difficulties while attending the much-anticipated showdown.