Dubai : As the ICC Champions Trophy’ hotly anticipated India vs Pakistan snarl looms in, cricket bug has struck Dubai. With close to 3.7 million Indians and 1.7 million Pakistanis in the UAE, demand for tickets has skyrocketed, making this a watch-must spectacle.
Unmatched Craze for Tickets
Although the cheapest ticket is a whopping ₹12,000 (500 dirhams) at the 30,000-seater Dubai International Stadium, fans are going to every length to ensure they have a place in the stands. Outside the ICC Academy, security personnel battle to control excited supporters hoping for a glimpse of their favorite players. A young fan was reportedly left in tears after chatting with Babar Azam but not getting a selfie.
A Ramadan Gift Like No Other
For some, the generosity of business owners has come through. Blue-collar workers employed by the group can never afford the high price tag that comes with watching a match but Anis Sajan, vice-chairman of Danube Group, handed over 100 lucky draw tickets to his workers, who are also cricket fans but will not be able to afford the high price. He even held an invite only screening for those who were not lucky enough to get a ticket. “Cricket is an emotion that brings people together,” he said.
Game Day Madness in Dubai
With cinemas showing the match live and malls experiencing staff shortages due to mass leave requests, it is full cricket mode in Dubai. Pakistan have a do-or-die match on their hand after their loss against New Zealand. Even PM Shehbaz Sharif has asked the team to win the Champions Trophy but also defeat arch-rival India.
