Tickets for the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 have not sold out fully, despite the rivalry being one of the biggest spectacles in world cricket. The two teams are scheduled to face each other at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14.
This comes as a surprise considering the enormity of the contest. However, the lacklustre ticket demand is being linked to the ‘package system’ introduced by the organisers this year. Unlike previous editions, where fans could purchase tickets exclusively for the India-Pakistan match, this time they are required to buy a bundle covering seven matches.
Fans Criticise ‘Package System’
The organisers had introduced the system to promote other group-stage matches in addition to the marquee India-Pakistan encounter. But the high pricing has seemingly backfired. Fans from India, Pakistan, and abroad expressed disappointment on social media, with many demanding the release of single-match tickets closer to the fixture.
Another major grievance was that the package does not include the Super Fours or the final. “Purchasing the package would have made sense had the knockout matches been a part of it,” one fan pointed out online.
Political Backdrop Adds to the Tension
The match also carries political weight. Earlier this year, following the terror attacks in Pahalgam, a section of Indian fans called for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to withdraw from the tournament. The Indian government, however, clarified that while bilateral cricket with Pakistan remains suspended, India will continue to participate in multi-nation events that feature Pakistan.
As per the current schedule, India and Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Oman and hosts UAE, while Group B features Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. Matches will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.