Fans pour dirhams as India-Pak Asia Cup tie tickets sell out

By Shaneer N.SiddiquDubai 20th, August : The cricket fans are going to great lengths to secure tickets for the eagerly anticipated India against Pakistan match that will be played in Dubai on the 28th of August.

The initial batch of tickets to the match between the archrivals sold out in less than three hours on the 15th of August.

IANS spoke to a few lucky fans who had the opportunity to purchase tickets in the first batch.Indian National as well as Sharjah resident Saad said that he used the ticket portal from several computers to purchase tickets "I had a queue on the website starting at 8 a.m.I saw news about ticket sales, and then accessed the site on four different computers at the same time.I was fortunate that I was able to purchase tickets in just 20 minutes.

" He claimed that he spent about 1000 dirhams to purchase the ticket.Tickets were sold in bundles of three matches "I am not able to the other two games and will be donating them to family members or friends.

This is the first time Saad will be able to watch an India-Pakistan game in the stadium.He is one of those who tried to secure tickets to the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan during the T20 World Cup last year but was unsuccessful.

Dubai resident Vishal Singh told the media that he was able to secure an upgrade ticket after waiting for more than four hours in the online queue.He paid over 1200 dirhams to purchase this ticket.

He claimed that India and Pakistan matches are not often played in Dubai and "I did not want to skip this opportunity".The auction of the initial batch began on August 15th and there was a long wait for tickets.

Dubai resident Mustafa was one of the lucky ones who received tickets, however he was required to log in for 8 hours! "I had logged onto the website in the morning on the 15th of August and was waiting to see when it would be live.Then, when ticket sales began in the evening, even though there were over 500 tickets ahead of me, I managed to secure the ticket.In just one hour!" stated Mustafa.

Numerous fans who werent fortunate enough to receive India match tickets, India vs Pakistan match tickets are now reserving their seats in the final Super 4 match.Indian expatriate Amardeep stated that "I am sure that these rivals will clash in the final.Ive reserved tickets to the final.Id like that I can be there.

" A look through the classifieds sites and Facebook will reveal that tickets for the famous match are advertised for sale at upwards of 5,500 dirhams compared to the actual cost of 2,500.Tickets for general admission, which is 250 dirhams, has been listed for the resale price of 2,500 dirhams.

Asia Cup ticketing partner Platinum List cautioned that selling tickets is illegal and could result in tickets being be automatically canceled.Customers are advised to not purchase tickets on additional ticketing websites or websites for sales online as the possibility is that tickets is not valid for admission or be canceled.

The second set of tickets for the India-Pakistan game of the Asia Cup in Dubai went on sale on Wednesday (August 17) However, an additional condition has been added to purchase tickets.According to the organizers tickets for India-Pakistan will be offered only in packages.

Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis.Fans must wait online and stay in the queue in for hours.

Many fans had to wait on a list of more than five lakh! shaneer/ak.