India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry is well-known, in fact, one commentator even described the clash as “war minus shooting.” India’s first Test match against Pakistan was in 1952 and since then the two countries have played against each other in a number of formats. However, what is often not documented in the public arena is the number of people ready to make a good profit off this rivalry.
Keeping in mind the popularity of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 which will take place in Australia from 16 October to 13 November 2022, the organisers have applied an 8-10 ticket purchasing limit.
“The maximum number of Matches in which tickets can be purchased is ten (10). In addition, an Event-wide ticket limit of 96 tickets per person will be imposed.”
If any person is found exceeding the stated ticket limit, their orders and tickets associated with T20 event will be cancelled without notice by the LOC or IBC at its discretion.
However, as the dates for the T20 Worl Cup draw near, many concerned Indian-Australian community members have noticed some original purchasers selling the 23 October 2022 India vs Pakistan tickets “300% above the stated selling price in black market through social media.”
Virat Dev Chouhan (name changed on request), a member of the Indians in Melbourne Facebook group, told The Australia Today that he tried buying through the official channel but tickets “ran out in the first 5 minutes of being made available.”
He further adds that now people on social media “are trying to sell a $A20 ticket for $A400 and in some cases even $A500.”
Mr Chouhan added that such people give various reasons for reselling their Ind vs Pak tickets but do not provide enough information regarding tickets or pricing.
He observes:
“Such people who are posting and trying to sell at a higher price often don’t put details such as the original price and which stand the ticket belongs to. These people only share this information after an interested person contacts them via social media.”
Further, Mr Chouhan believes that not everyone would be ready to pay $A500 for a $A20 ticket. He says, “I know people who have paid A$100 or are willing to pay $A150 for the $A20 ticket.”
Saloni Varma Negi from Melbourne has a warning for such members of the public as this kind of selling is considered “fraudulent ticket scalping” activity in Australia.
Ms Negi wrote in the Indians in Melbourne Facebook group:
“For those who are selling T20 tickets to IND vs PAK match on the 23rd of October, at almost over 300% profits. This has been reported to the Department for further investigation. Screenshot Evidences has been submitted of tickets being offered with sellers details.”
Max Abbott, Media Manager for T20 World Cup, told The Australia Today that they have “not received any formal complaints, but we are aware of instances of some people and third parties illegally offering to sell tickets above face value.”
Mr Abbott says that they are aware that tickets for Ind vs Pak match “are in high demand” and this can “lead to some people or third parties taking advantage of genuine fans.”
He adds:
“We are fortunate to be able to host this match at one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world and we are proud of the fact that we provided a fair opportunity for fans who registered early with us to buy tickets before they were made available to the general public. This will help ensure the match is attended by as many genuine cricket fans and families as possible.”
Mr Abbott added that they will notify the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, who have the ability to investigate and issue infringement notices if they are able to do so.
Members of the general public too can directly report such offences to DJPR:
“If you believe a ticket to a declared event is being advertised or sold for more than 10% above the face value of the ticket, or an unauthorised ticket package is being advertised, an Authorised Ticketing Officer can investigate and determine if an offence has taken place.”
Ms Negi observes that people who are genuinely interested in watching Ind vs Pak match suffer because of such shady practices.
She adds:
“There are people genuinely interested in attending these matches who can purchase them through the website. Also, I request – please do not purchase tickets from this platform. You are only encouraging black marketing and fraud.”
Mr Abbott says that T20 has launched the official ICC Men’s T20 World Cup re-sale platform for genuine buyers. This platform provides “a safe and secure way for fans to buy and sell tickets at their face value.”
He adds:
“The LOC also actively contacts relevant unauthorised resale sites when identified, requiring the removal of tickets listed on such sites. We are regularly encouraging fans to only buy tickets through the official ICC platforms as any tickets sold through unauthorised channels cannot be guaranteed. We are working with our ticketing provider Ticketek and the Victorian Government to monitor social media and third-party websites and will take action to cancel tickets that are in breach of our terms and conditions”
The concerned members of the community have been requested to only buy and re-sale their extra or unwanted tickets through proper channels.
Molina Swarup Asthana, T20 World Cup Ambassador and Melbourne-based Lawyer, says she is sure that people “wouldn’t like to be on the wrong side of the law while enjoying much-awaited Ind vs Pak match.”
Ms Asthana warns:
“I would like to caution anyone who is reselling tickets for a major sporting event including the India vs Pakistan ICC T20 match to only do it through the official resale site. Not complying with legislation may land you into trouble and you may be charged for an offence.”
Due to the popularity of cricket in Australia, all T20 cricket matches in Victoria, including Ind vs Pak, have been declared as a “Major Event” by the Victorian Government.
It must be noted that Victoria’s Major Events Act 2009 “protects fans from being ripped off by ticket scalpers and ensures that tickets to major events are available for everyone.” So, when the “government declares an event as a major event, it becomes illegal to sell or advertise for resale tickets for more than 10 per cent above face value.”
Mr Abbott says that under this Act it is illegal for a ticket to be resold or advertised for resale. He warns that breaching this Act can result in heavy fines up to $110,952 for an individual and $554,760 for a company and purchasing a ticket from an unauthorised seller can also result in the ticket holder being denied entry to the T20 event.
