Published on: Sep 10, 2025 4:17 pm IST|Updated on: Sep 23, 2025 2:54 pm IST
Whenever we talk about India vs Pakistan clash in cricket, it’s always a pulsating one. The archrivals have mainly produced some unforgettable games, but that hasn’t been the case in recent times. Despite the historical intensity and global attention this rivalry commands, not all seats have been filled, a rare sight for a fixture often dubbed “cricket’s Super Bowl.”
This tailored and decorated rivalry has been one-sided in recent times, favoring Team India. Maybe this is the reason why the tickets for their Asia Cup 2025 clash on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium are still up for grabs. However, there could be other reasons for the low ticket sales. Let’s discuss ahead.
One of the key reasons behind the sluggish ticket sales appears to be the steep pricing and bundled ticket packages. According to reports, premium seats such as the VIP Suites East are priced at ₹2.57 lakh for two, offering perks like unlimited food and drinks, VIP lounge access, and private restrooms. The Royal Box costs around ₹2.30 lakh, while the Sky Box East is listed at ₹1.67 lakh. Even mid-tier options like the Platinum and Grand Lounge range from ₹75,000 to ₹41,000.
Moreover, fans were initially required to purchase seven-match packages to access the India-Pakistan game, which included lower-profile fixtures but excluded Super Four and final matches. This strategy, aimed at boosting attendance across the tournament, has backfired; many fans balked at paying exorbitant prices for matches they weren’t interested in.
The ticket sales may also reflect broader sentiment. With recent geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, some fans have expressed discomfort or disinterest in attending the match, and some have called for a ‘boycott’ of this game. Others have taken to social media to criticize the pricing model, calling it “unfair” and “exploitative,” especially since single-match tickets were not made available until much later.
One of the major reasons for Indo-Pak’s low ticket sales could be the lack of star power across the two teams. India will be without their batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The duo retired from T20Is after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. For Pakistan, their long-term batting mainstays Muhammad Rizwan and Babar Azam weren’t picked for this tournament, along with young bowling sensation Naseem Shah.
Despite this, the match remains one of the most-awaited fixtures of the tournament. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, and Pakistan, captained by Salman Ali Agha, are both in Group A alongside the UAE and Oman. The September 14 clash could determine group standings and potentially set the tone for a rematch in the Super Four or final.
Check out the squads of the two teams named for the Asia Cup 2025.
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.