India and Pakistan Fans Turn Up the Volume in Dubai – In Record Numbers

Fahad Bin Khalid
October 9, 2024
1:14 pm
33

Cricket fever reached new heights in Dubai as fans from India and Pakistan flocked to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in record numbers for a thrilling encounter. This match not only broke the record for the largest crowd for any ICC women’s match, but also created history, as this match has the largest attendance for any India-Pakistan women’s cricket match so far, boasting 15,935 in the stands. The electric atmosphere, passionate fans, and tense rivalry together made it one hell of a match to forget.

A Historic Turnout

The 100th T20I played at the Dubai Stadium will go down in history for more than just the action on the field. It drew the highest number of spectators for a league game at an ICC women’s event. The last time these two sides met at a T20 World Cup in South Africa, the attendance was a modest 3,578. However, the turnout in Dubai was nothing short of spectacular. In this match, Indian fans outnumbered their Pakistani counterparts by an estimated 85% to 15%.

This was no surprise, especially given the demographics of expats in the UAE. India housed a thirty-eight percent population, while Pakistanis comprised a seventeen percent census count. Families of all ages were there, with fans representing two nations, including one giant sea of team jerseys, having their love blended and unified for cricket.

The atmosphere in the stadium during the game was filled with hearty energy as fans chanted and sang through every moment. An energetic ground announcer and pumping tunes had kept the crowd entertained throughout. Indian fans were particularly vocal during much of the match, especially when India edged closer to victory. The thunderous atmosphere saw Pakistan flag-waving supporters as the game came down to the wire.

Despite the intense competition between the teams, the fans from both countries were understandably characterized by excellent sportsmanship. Indian and Pakistani fans were sitting together, cheering for the particular team, and raising their spirits over the game of cricket. It was a heartwarming show of unity, as fans hugged each other and took pictures with anybody on the opposite side, irrespective of which team was winning.

For cricket fans, the record turnout at the tournament is a major victory for women’s cricket, and this is proof that more and more people now believe in this game. While many had built fears around low attendance looming over the tournament, the initial worried thoughts have gone silent as numbers exceeded their expectations, especially in Dubai and Sharjah. Fans from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other nations have also turned up in impressive numbers, adding to the festive atmosphere.

For the players, this contrast was supported by the crowd. Winner Player of the Match, India’s Arundhati Reddy, did express thanks as she stated it was a “lovely crowd” and enjoyed the love shown by the Indian supporters. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana appreciated playing in front of the sea of audience as well, despite having given in to vastly more Indian fans.

Dubai has once again proved to be a haven for cricket lovers, especially with interest in the fiery India-Pakistan rivalry. Record-breaking turnout proves that the fans of UAE are ecstatic about their love for the game and have shown an ever-increasing interest in women’s cricket. More fans would go there cheering for their teams and watching the action that will surely dominate in this game as the tournament advances.

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