The Impressive TimesDubai [UAE], September 11: The much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash in the ongoing T20 Asia Cup 2025 is witnessing a surprising dip in ticket sales, with seats still available less than three days before the high-voltage encounter in Dubai.
Despite organisers introducing a single-ticket format to make purchases more convenient, sales have been sluggish compared to past India-Pakistan fixtures, which typically sold out within minutes.
An official from Emirates Cricket admitted that the slower response has been unexpected. “In the Champions Trophy, tickets for India vs Pakistan were sold out within four minutes of opening. This time, only the lower stands are filled, while upper-tier seats remain available. The craze is much lower, possibly because Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not playing,” the official said.
Both Rohit and Kohli retired from T20 internationals after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup against South Africa. Their absence is being cited as a major factor in reduced demand, coupled with steep prices for premium seats, which exceed ₹2.5 lakh for two tickets.
Fans have voiced concerns on social media, urging organisers to release more affordable, single-match tickets closer to the game.
On the field, India began their campaign with a nine-wicket win over the UAE in their Asia Cup opener on Wednesday. They will next play Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
The Super 4 stage of the tournament runs from September 20 to 26, with Dubai hosting the majority of India’s matches depending on their group position. The final is scheduled for September 28 at the Dubai International Stadium.
While the India-Pakistan rivalry continues to be cricket’s biggest draw, this year’s ticketing trends highlight the changing dynamics of the game in the post-Rohit-Virat era.
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