The India-Pakistan clash is set to take place in the Group A matches of the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday. The tournament will witness the first encounter of the infamous rivalry at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match garners its importance as it is the first match between both the nations after the Operation SIndoor, a retaliation for the Phalgam terror Attack on April 22.
However, the BCCI has drawn sharp criticism for the match, arguing that the board should have boycotted the contest due to the recent conflict. In addition, low-ticket sales rumours have further fueled the fire, claiming that the ticket price has been reduced to increase sales. However, it was denounced by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), stating that “conditions are very encouraging” and these reports are inaccurate.
Shoaib Akhtar on the low-ticket sales rumour
Shoaib Akhtar former Pakistani pacer, has also dismissed claims of low-ticket sales in an interview with ‘Rawalpindi Express’, mentioning the high emotions surrounding the clash and predicted for packed stadium despite all the rumours
Akhtar said, “Emotions are running very high. Now we [Pakistan] are meeting India for the first time post-war. Think about it, it cannot be houseful. Someone said to me that the tickets are unsold. I said, ‘What are you saying?’ Everything is sold. These are all the external talks.”
India vs Pakistan match faces sharp criticism
Uddhav Thackery, chief of the Sena (UBT), recalled PM Modi’s statement of “water and blood cannot flow together” and asked how “blood and cricket” go together. He said, “How can war and cricket be at the same time? They have made a business out of patriotism. They just want money.”
Saurabh Bhardwaj, former Delhi minister in the AAP government, said, “Indian government is making cricketers play with such disgusting people who wiped our sisters’ sindoor. We’ll expose all the clubs and restaurants in Delhi that telecast India-Pakistan matches.” He also made a public appeal to boycott clubs and restaurants that live telecast the match