The historic hype that usually surrounds an India-Pakistan cricket clash seems to have lost much of its sheen this year, with tickets for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 group-stage encounter in Dubai still lying unsold.
The match, scheduled for September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, was expected to sell out within minutes, echoing the Champions Trophy 2023 fixture at the same venue, where tickets vanished in under four minutes.
But as of Thursday evening, more than ten days after sales opened, nearly 50 percent of the stands remain unsold.
Ticket prices this year ranged from USD 99 (₹8,000 approx.) for the cheapest available seats to USD 4,534 (₹4 lakh approx.) for premium hospitality boxes. While the lowest-priced tickets sold out quickly, the higher-tier tickets remain untouched.
Despite packages being offered—including a special AED 14,000 deal covering seven matches, including the marquee India-Pakistan tie—the response has been tepid, leaving organizers and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) baffled.
One senior ECB official admitted that they had expected a repeat of the past craze but were surprised at the slow sales.
Another official tried to downplay concerns, insisting that “bookings were encouraging.” Yet, the empty seats more than 10 days after sales began mark a dramatic departure from previous India-Pakistan encounters, traditionally the hottest tickets in world cricket.
The explanation for this lies far beyond cricket. Public sentiment in India, deeply scarred by decades of cross-border terrorism and Pakistan’s proxy war, has hardened.
The mood turned even more bitter after the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, in which innocent lives were lost. India responded with Operation Sindoor, a bold military strike on terror bases inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, sending a message of zero tolerance.
In this climate, calls for a boycott of Pakistan in sporting arenas gained momentum. Several cricketers and pundits echoed the sentiment, arguing that sporting ties should not continue while Pakistan shelters terror networks targeting India.
Many fans, who once queued for hours to get a glimpse of the rivalry, now view the match as tainted by politics and bloodshed. Their disenchantment is reflected in the slow ticket sales, a silent protest against Pakistan’s actions.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reiterated that it abides by the Indian government’s policy, meaning India will face Pakistan only in multinational tournaments but will not revive any bilateral series.
Thus, India’s participation in the Asia Cup is seen less as an endorsement of cricketing camaraderie and more as an obligation because other countries are also competing.
On the field, however, the players are trying to keep the focus firmly on cricket. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team was excited to face Pakistan, stressing that their goal was to “just play good cricket.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Salman Agha promised his side would play with natural flair, noting that fast bowlers thrive on aggression but need no special instructions.
India has already begun its campaign with a dominant win against the UAE, while Pakistan is set to face Oman before clashing with India.
Depending on the results, the two nations could meet up to three times in this Asia Cup. Yet, the spectacle once seen as the pinnacle of cricketing rivalry is overshadowed by geopolitics, terrorism, and the bitter memories of cross-border conflict.
The message from Indian cricket lovers seems clear: until Pakistan abandons its support for terror, the old frenzy of India-Pakistan cricket will remain a fading echo of the past.
#AsiaCup2025 #IndiaVsPakistan #CricketAndTerror #OperationSindoor #PahalgamAttack #CricketBoycott #BCCI #DubaiStadium #IndiaPakistanRivalry #RoadToPeaceThroughSports