Dubai: India versus Pakistan cricket matches no longer take place on their soil.
But wherever they clash on neutral territory, be it the UAE, England, Australia, Sri Lanka or even the US, a full house is guaranteed.
Sunday evening’s Asia Cup face-off, which will get underway at 8 pm at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS), is different.
It’s the first time that the arch rivals will be crossing swords on a cricket pitch since the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 innocent men were gunned won by terrorists.
India took revenge, launching Operation Sindoor to destroy nine terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK, followed which was followed by four days of hostility between the two militaries. But even now, emotions are running high in India.
Even as the Central government gave BCCI the go-ahead to take part in the Pakistan clash, calls for boycott of the match have been heard pan India – not just from Opposition parties but lakhs and lakhs of citizens.
Even in Dubai, where there is a substantial Indian population, response to this particular game has been lukewarm.
The local administration has taken no chances, and put in place stringent security protocols.
No flags and banners will be allowed inside the stadium. Also banned are items like umbrellas, large cameras, selfie sticks, flammable substances and sharp objects.
Carrying any of these objects could result in a fine between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 7 lakh.
According to Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations at Dubai Police, special units have been deployed to ensure security for the India-Pakistan clash.
If any fan is found to be engaging in violence, hurling objects or using racist or abusive language, it could lead to a fine of more than Rs 7 lakh), and possible imprisonment or deportation, according to a Moneycontrol report.
It would be interesting to see if the ground, which has a capacity of 25,000, is filled up for the Sunday blockbuster.