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29 March 2024

Tickets selling fast for Pakistan-Sri Lanka T20 series in Dubai

Dubai International Stadium packed for cricket and with the Ring of Fire lights burning brightly. (SUPPLIED)

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By Staff

Tickets are still available for the Twenty20 International (T20I) series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Stadium but Dubai Sports City officials urge fans to buy before getting disappointed.
 
The two sides go head to head at Dubai Sports City on Wednesday and Friday nights with both matches starting at 8pm.
 
The clashes represent a chance to stake claims for places in their respective squads for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament that takes place in Bangladesh in March next year.
 
That fact alone should make the contests compelling viewing and Dubai Sports City General Manager – Sports Business Maqbul Dudhia said everything was set up perfectly for two great nights of action.
 
“The last Twenty20 International we staged at the Dubai International Stadium, last month between Pakistan and South Africa, was a sell-out, the second such sell-out we have had after last year’s match between Pakistan and Australia.
 
“It shows the public is hungry for top-quality Twenty20 International action at a world-class venue and that is exactly what we have at Dubai Sports City.
 
“We are proud of the fact we have staged more Twenty20 Internationals than any other venue in the world and we are looking forward to this week’s action being another page in that ever-developing history.
 
“With the Ring of Fire floodlights burning brightly and fans making noise, the Dubai International Stadium really is a spectacular place to come and enjoy a game of cricket and, with high-class and experienced players mixed with exciting young talent on both sides, we are all set for another superb couple of nights.
 
“But people need to be aware that tickets are going well. So we would urge those considering attending to get their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
 
“As is always the case, we have been conscious to ensure that tickets are as widely available as possible with a whole host of ways for people to buy them.
 
“It is all part of our ongoing policy of making our events as accessible as possible to as many people as possible, something also emphasised by the fact that ticket prices start from just AED30,” added Dudhia.
 
Tickets are on sale at numerous outlets throughout Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah with details of where they can be purchased here: https://www.dubaisportscity.

They are also available on line at Box Office ME and Time Out Tickets and in person at the Dubai Sports City head office.
 
For those interested in watching the matches or entertaining guests in grand style, hospitality is available.
 
Corporate and VIP suites are available for 12 and 24 people respectively, as well as individually. Details are available by calling Dubai Sports City head office on +971 4 4251111 or +971 56 1361 059.
 
“People love the facilities and the quality we are offering and any businesses or individuals interested in purchasing hospitality for the matches should get in touch as soon as possible,” he said.
 
Looking ahead to the action on Wednesday and Friday nights, Dudhia said the match represented another first for the Dubai International Stadium, which first staged an international in the shortest form of the game in 2009 when Pakistan played Australia.
 
“This will be the first time Pakistan and Sri Lanka have faced each other in a Twenty20 International at the venue and we are looking forward to hosting the sides.
 
“I know when Sri Lanka played One-Day International cricket here two years ago they were struck by the noise and how loud the crowd was. It would be great to replicate that sort of atmosphere again this week.
 
“The shape of the stadium does mean any noise reverberates around creating a great atmosphere.
 
“And with the lights of the Ring of Fire on then there can be few better places to watch a top-quality Twenty20 International.”
 
Pakistan holds the slight edge over Sri Lanka in head-to-head records in T20Is, leading 6-4, and that includes the one T20I the two sides have played in the UAE – a five-wicket win for Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in November 2011.
 
But Sri Lanka won their most recent meeting, in the semi-final of last year’s ICC World Twenty20 in Colombo, triumphing by 16 runs.
 
The matches this week are part of a total of 16 days of scheduled Pakistan action at the venue this season, with a One-Day International, two Twenty20 Internationals and a Test match already completed against South Africa in October and November.
 
Next week (December 20) will see Pakistan and Sri Lanka play in a day-night One-Day International and from January 8 they will clash in the second Test of a three-match series. Sharjah and Abu Dhabi will also host matches during the tour.
 
The matches are part of Dubai Sports City’s biggest season yet for cricket.
 
In addition to Pakistan’s series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, Dubai Sports City has recently played host to matches in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, with six Associate and Affiliate sides – Ireland, Afghanistan, Nepal, the UAE, Hong Kong and the Netherlands – qualifying to go forward to the main event next year in Bangladesh.
 
From Tuesday this week, the main oval at the ICC Academy is staging the ICC Intercontinental Cup final between Afghanistan and Ireland, the climax of the first-class tournament for the top Associate and Affiliate sides.
 
And in February Dubai Sports City will stage matches in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.