India v Pakistan "definitely" going ahead despite boycott and security fears

The ICC admits recent events have created some "nervousness" but conversations with local police have given them a clear understanding of the challenges

India's scheduled clash with Pakistan in the World Cup is still going ahead but the ICC have admitted the increase in tensions between the two nations has created some "nervousness".

The arch-rivals will face-off at Old Trafford on June 16 in one of the biggest matches in the tournament's group phase.

Suggestions India could boycott the game were raised after a Pakistan-based militant group took responsibility for a suicide attack in Kashmir which killed 46 parliamentary police in February.

The BCCI urged the ICC to "sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates" and reportedly lobbied the other eight competing nations to stand beside them.

That political unrest has bled into cricket's premier event is no surprise given Pakistan's Prime Minister is 1992 World Cup winning captain Imran Khan.

"The game is definitely going ahead in Manchester," said tournament safety and security director Jill McCracken. "We're in constant liaison with the police and the security services. 

"We ran a series of updated community tension analysis reports back from the local police forces.

"After the incident in Pakistan we asked for that as a matter of urgency. And that we were given any relevant information. 

"At the moment we have nothing that is causing us any additional concern.

"Those incidents taking place so close to this tournament did create some nervousness."

Over 400,000 applications to attend the game were submitted in the ticket ballot - the most for any match at this summer's World Cup, including the final.

Despite a rigorous ticketing process, many have ended up on third-party websites and into the hands of touts looking to make a healthy profit.

One ticket for the final at Lord's on July 14 is available for as much as £20,000, despite the ICC claiming they have strict provisions in place to prevent such an occurrence.

"We do have controls for the number of tickets you buy," explained Cricket World Cup 2019 managing director Steven Elworthy.

"We vet and look at all the ballot applications so we know exactly who the individuals are. 

"Through a sharing of resources as far back as 2009 we are aware of a number of those. 

"Clearly we never support anything on a secondary site."

Our coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is brought to you in association with Cricket 19, the official video game of the Ashes. Pre-order your copy now at Amazon.co.uk