Tickets for the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy sold out within minutes of release, highlighting the intense demand for this marquee clash.
The match, set to be played on 23rd February at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, is part of the group stage of the tournament, which will be hosted in a hybrid model across Pakistan and the UAE.
Over 1,50,000 fans registered online, with waiting times exceeding one hour, further reflecting the massive interest in the encounter. Sudhashree, a Dubai resident, expressed her shock at how quickly the tickets disappeared, stating, "I had expected a long queue, but the speed at which tickets disappeared was shocking. By the time I managed to get my slot, only two categories were left, and that was way out of my budget."
With only 25,000 seats available at the stadium, including premium sections like the Dh2,000 Platinum and Dh5,000 Grand Lounge, fans were left frustrated as tickets sold out across almost all categories. The high demand for tickets underlines how significant and eagerly awaited this India-Pakistan clash is, given the fierce rivalry between the two cricketing nations.
The match is expected to have a massive economic impact, driving growth in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors as fans from both India and Pakistan flock to Dubai for the event. Increased hotel bookings and rising airfares are anticipated as a result of the match's appeal.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature eight teams competing in 15 matches over 19 days. Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa. Pakistan will enter the tournament as defending champions, having won the 2017 edition in England. The tournament will kick off on February 19 in Karachi, with Pakistan playing New Zealand.
Historically, India and Australia have been the most successful teams in the Champions Trophy, each having won the tournament twice.
Read also| Harbhajan Encourages Abhishek to Bowl More, Praises His Potential as a Left-Arm Spinner
Read also| Sanju Samson Suffers Index Finger Fracture, Expected to be Out for 5-6 Weeks