The highly anticipated yet controversial clash between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium has seen surprisingly slow ticket sales. Over 25,000 tickets nearly half the stadium remain available, including many premium seats.
Historically, whenever arch-rivals India and Pakistan face off, it’s a guaranteed full-house whether it’s in India, Australia, or even the USA. But this time, the situation is different. After the recent Pahalgam attack and the BCCI’s firm stand on the issue, backlash has followed. Many Indian fans are boycotting the match, putting their nation ahead of cricket.
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Over 25,000 Seats Still Unsold Ahead of High-Stakes Game
The match, scheduled for September 14 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, was expected to sell out quickly, especially after the Champions Trophy 2023 at the same venue, where all tickets were snapped up in under four minutes. But as of 9 PM IST on Thursday, nearly 50% of the stands still had seats available. Ticket prices start at USD 99, with premium spots going as high as USD 4,534 (around ₹4 lakh).
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Reacting to the slow sales, an official from the Emirates Cricket Board expressed surprise, especially when compared to previous Indo-Pak fixtures. However, other board representatives remained confident that tickets would be sold out before match day, despite the slow start. Still, public sentiment around “nation first” has clearly impacted this high-stakes clash..
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Captains Focused on Controlled Intensity
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav shared his excitement ahead of the game against Pakistan on Sunday:
"Aggression is always there on the field. Without aggression, you cannot play the sport. I am very excited to take the field from tomorrow," Suryakumar said ahead of the Asia Cup.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan's Agha Salman also emphasized intensity and fairness.
"You don't need to say anything to anyone. If anyone wants to be aggressive, they are more than welcome to do that. The fast bowlers always want to be aggressive, because that's what keeps them going. From my side, there is no instruction to anyone as long as they keep it on the ground," Salman said.
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