"Whatever may be the reason, the stadiums are empty."
India versus Pakistan has long been one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Fans across continents plan months in advance, often paying high sums just to secure a seat.
The two sides will face off against each other in the Asia Cup on September 14, 2025.
Usually, tickets for such clashes are the first to sell out. But this time, the Asia Cup 2025 has delivered an unexpected twist.
Tickets for the India-Pakistan encounter in the UAE are not selling at the pace organisers expected, raising serious questions about what is dampening enthusiasm.
Ticket Prices
According to NDTV, several ticketing platforms list premium categories at eye-watering rates.
A pair of seats in the VIP Suites East costs Rs 2.5 lakhs (£2,000). That package “includes aisle seating, unlimited food and drinks, a parking pass, VIP club/lounge access, and private entrance and restrooms.”
The Royal Box is priced at Rs 2.3 lakhs (£1,900), the Sky Box at Rs 1.6 lakhs (£1,300), and Platinum-level seats at Rs 75,659 (£630).
Even the most affordable option costs around Rs 10,000 (£80) for two.
Yet despite India and Pakistan being the biggest draws in cricket, uptake for these tickets has been underwhelming.
What Has Aakash Chopra Said?
Former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the issue.
In a video, he said: “India is playing T20I cricket and people have not come to watch the match. Is it possible? Yes, it has happened.
“During the India vs UAE match, the stands were almost empty.
“Even for the India vs Pakistan match, the general tickets are sold out, but the higher-priced tickets like the ones that cost Rs 18,000-20,000 are still available. You can try. What is happening?”
Chopra speculated whether this was a side-effect of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirements.
He asked: “Or is it the highly priced tickets in the UAE where only the marquee matches sell? Or is it the boycott calls over the India vs Pakistan match?
“Is that the real reason fans have such low interest in this match?
“Whatever may be the reason, the stadiums are empty. It might be any of the above reasons, or all of the above. The issue is concerning.”
Both India and Pakistan began their Asia Cup campaigns with wins. India comfortably beat the UAE by nine wickets, while Pakistan thrashed Oman by 93 runs.
Meanwhile, ex-Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram believes the match will be competitive.
He said: “I think it will be a competitive match but I think Pakistan will have the confidence of winning the tri-series and will give good competition.”
While Pakistan’s new captain Salman Agha leads his side under coach Mike Hesson, India has placed their trust in Suryakumar Yadav.
Political Tension
The backdrop to this year’s India-Pakistan clash is unlike any before.
It comes after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, which left 26 tourists dead in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
India’s response included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and launching strikes across PoK. The escalation lasted four nights and further strained ties between the two nations.
Opposition parties in India have called for a full boycott of matches against Pakistan.
Some criticised the BCCI for allowing this game to go ahead.
The board has maintained that India will not play a bilateral series with Pakistan, but matches in international tournaments cannot be avoided.
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has rarely lacked drama, but this year the spotlight is on more than just cricketing skills.
From sky-high ticket prices to political tensions, several factors are combining to dampen fan turnout.
As Aakash Chopra warned, the sight of empty stands in one of cricket’s biggest contests is concerning.
Whether this proves to be a temporary blip or a lasting shift in how fans engage with the rivalry remains to be seen.
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