Asia Cup 2023: India vs Pakistan | Near-empty stands, lack of buzz raise eyebrows

India-Pakistan cricket match in Pallekele Stadium had serene ambience due to lack of fans. Lowest ticket price was $20 (LKR 6400) but still no rush. Hotel owners and tour operators disappointed by lack of fan rush.

A cricket match involving India and Pakistan is not just about top-quality cricket, but it is also about roaring fans giving the stadium the atmosphere of a Roman colosseum.

But the Pallekele Stadium was cocooned in a rather serene ambience on September 2, as India and Pakistan faced each other in their Asia Cup 2023 Group A match.

There were fans — the flag-waving, cheering, applauding kind. But not in numbers that often electrify the venue, despite India batting first.

Also Read | Asia Cup 2023: India vs Pakistan | Track match updates here

There were several empty spaces in the stands and on the grass banks here, something one will not see during an Indo-Pak cricket clash.

"The tickets are not fully sold, as you can see. In fact, the sale of tickets was on even yesterday evening at Kandy and Colombo. There were not many takers for the top-end tickets in the Grand Stand,” an SLC official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The lowest denomination of tickets was $20 (Approximately LKR 6400) in the beginning but it was later slashed to LKR 1500, and LKR 2560 if purchased for both the India matches involving Pakistan and Nepal.