Pakistan fans sell tickets as team fails to enter final

Some people sold tickets at a premium of 33 per cent while others did it at the original prices, saying they have to fly out of the UAE on an urgent basis, and can therefore not watch the match. 

Some of those selling tickets on classifieds websites are Pakistanis who had purchased the tickets earlier, hoping their team would qualify for the final. 

But they were dejected at the team’s poor performance after Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 37 runs on Wednesday. One Pakistani fan who had purchased five tickets for the final was left with no option but to sell the Premium West Stand tickets costing 550 dirham (about Rs 10900) at the original price.

“Since our team couldn’t qualify, there is no point in spending such a huge amount to watch the final match between India and Bangladesh,” said the dejected Pakistani fan. Khaleej Times reported tickets for the first India-Pakistan clash in Asia Cup on September 19 were high in demand and were sold online at a very high premium. “Though Pakistan team had lost the first two matches of Asia Cup, but still I would go to watch the final. We know every day is a different day and despite Pakistan losing two early matches against India, we would expect the team to make a comeback. I would have bought the ticket even on premium to watch the match,” said Adil, a dejected Pakistani fan.