The Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan in Dubai took place in front of a noticeably sparse crowd, a stark contrast to the usual frenzy surrounding these encounters. The empty seats at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 25,000, were hard to ignore. This occurred despite the historical hype associated with India-Pakistan matches, where tickets typically sell out within minutes.
Several factors contributed to the subdued atmosphere. Calls for boycotting the match gained traction in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which resulted in the death of 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir. Opposition parties staged protests across India, urging people to abstain from watching the match as a sign of protest against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Former Indian cricketer and current Sports Minister Manoj Tiwary also announced his boycott, emphasizing that human lives are more important than sports.
The boycott calls appear to have had a tangible impact on attendance. Social media was abuzz with images of the bare stands, with some users commenting on how they had "never seen a stadium so empty" for an India-Pakistan match. One user noted that even a stadium with a relatively modest capacity like Dubai International Cricket Stadium couldn't fill its seats.
Beyond the boycott calls, other factors may have played a role. Some reports suggested that the extreme September heat and high humidity in Dubai could have deterred some fans. High ticket prices were also cited as a potential reason, with premium stand tickets priced at $205 and seats in the east and west pavilion costing $245 each. Hospitality seats were listed at a steep $1,645 apiece. The Asian Cricket Council reportedly slashed ticket prices in an attempt to boost attendance, indicating an awareness of the issue.
Another potential factor influencing the low turnout was the absence of star Indian players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra suggested that their absence significantly impacted ticket sales, as these players are major crowd-pullers. He noted that even when Virat Kohli played in a Ranji Trophy match, the stadium was nearly full. Chopra estimated that the presence of Rohit and Kohli could have potentially doubled the attendance.
Despite the empty seats, the match went ahead as scheduled. India won the match by seven wickets. However, the contest concluded with controversy as the Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, a decision reportedly endorsed by a member of the support staff and approved by the BCCI.
While the stadium may have been sparsely populated, the India-Pakistan rivalry continues to draw significant attention. Historically, these matches have garnered record-breaking television ratings. While pre-match boycott calls may have led to lower stadium crowds, the intense cricketing rivalry guaranteed a massive audience.
