A surprising trend has caught the attention of cricket fans and experts alike which are that the tickets of the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 remain unsold in significant numbers.
Normally, India vs Pakistan tickets sell out within minutes. But surprisingly, this time, tickets for their clash on September 14 in Dubai are still unsold. Here are some of the main reasons:
Given the historic rivalry and the usual frenzy surrounding encounters between these two cricketing giants, many are predicting possible reasons among which some of possibilities are follows:
Absence of Key Players
A significant factor affecting the excitement is that key players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli will not be part of the match.
Babar and Rizwan have been excluded from Pakistan’s lineup, while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20 internationals after the World Cup 2024.
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Many fans viewed these athletes as the main draw, and their absence has lessened the overall buzz surrounding the game.
Are Indian fans Boycotting Pakistan vs India match?
The current political situation between India and Pakistan also influencing the opinion of fans. After the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 tourists, many Indian supporters have expressed doubts about whether India should face Pakistan in the tournament.
While the government approved India’s participation in multi-nation events, the online backlash and protests indicate that some fans are choosing to boycott the match. This unrest has certainly affected ticket sales.
Hot Weather in UAE
The Asia Cup is taking place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where temperatures in September can soar to uncomfortable levels.
Sitting through a lengthy evening match in such intense heat isn’t appealing to everyone. This challenging weather, along with other concerns, is likely deterring some fans from attending the game in person.
Expensive “Package” Tickets
The main issue appears to be the ticketing approach. Unlike previous years, fans cannot purchase tickets solely for the India-Pakistan match.
Instead, the organisers have bundled it into a package of seven matches, with prices starting at around PKR 107,520 and going up to an astonishing PKR 998,400 for premium lounge access.
Many fans are interested only in the high-profile rivalry game and do not want to buy tickets for the additional six matches included in the package.
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Meanwhile, tickets for other Asia Cup games are sold separately and start at a much lower price of approximately PKR 3,840.
This significant price gap has caused frustration among supporters and contributed to the slow ticket sales.
