Tickets for the upcoming contest against India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 have not sold out fully. The arch-rivals are set to take on each other
at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14.
This comes as a slightly unexpected event considering the enormity the contest. However, the reason behind the lacklustre demand of tickets for the otherwise high-demand fixture is the 'package system' introduced by the organisers. Unlike previous tournaments, when fans could purchase tickets just for the India-Pakistan match, this year they are required to buy the full bundle of seven matches. This is reported to have left many from the cricket fraternity disappointed.
The idea behind introducing the 'package system' was promoting other matches in addition to the India-Pakistan game. However, the high pricing seems to have backfired. Fans across the two countries and from other parts of the world have expressed their disappointment.
Netizens have also demanded that single-match tickets must be released closer to the match. Many have also expressed disappointment over the fact that the package does not include the Super Fours and the final, stating that purchasing the package would have have made sense had the knockout matches been a part of it.
Meanwhile, there has been notable tension amongst the two countries after the terror attacks in Pahalgam earlier this year. Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, a massive group of Indian cricket fans opined that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must back out from the tournament.
However, the fixture was confirmed once the Indian government clarified its stance on the matter, stating that India will not engage in bilateral event with Pakistan but will continue to take part in multi-nation events involving Pakistan.
As it stands, India and Pakistan are slotted in Group A along with Oman and hosts UAE while Group B comprises Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Hong Kong. The tournament will be played across two venues: the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
