'We are meeting India first time post war': Shoaib Akhtar goes blunt on IND-PAK tickets slump at Asia Cup

Shoaib Akhtar gives his take on rumours around Asia Cup tickets of India vs Pakistan match going unsold. (Photo: X)

Former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar has stated that emotions are running high ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Pakistan and India in the Asia Cup. It is their first meeting on the field since Operation Sindoor. The encounter comes in the aftermath of rising political tensions triggered by the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.

In response to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor in May, targeting alleged terror bases in Pakistan. The escalation brought the two nations to the brink of conflict before Pakistan requested a ceasefire to defuse the situation.

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Speaking on PTV Sports, Akhtar expressed confidence that the upcoming match would see a packed stadium and dismissed speculation about unsold tickets.

"Emotions are running very high. Now we [Pakistan] are meeting India for the first time post-war. Think about it — it cannot not be houseful. Someone said to me that the tickets are unsold. I said, 'What are you saying?' Everything is sold; these are all the external talks," he said.

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Akhtar also shed light on the star studded Indian unit, pointing out names and wondering who would the management drop before India began their Asia Cup campaign.

"Achha, Abhishek bhi aa gaya? Bumrah bhi hai? Sanju Samson bhi hai, finally. Tilak bhi. Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh bhi hai, Shubman hai, Surya hai, Shivam Dube, apna Axar Patel. Yaar, yeh kis ko baahar bithaayenge? (Who do they leave out?)," the former Pakistan pacer said.

The team management surprised many by including Sanju Samson in the playing XI against United Arab Emirates, leaving out Jitesh Sharma, whose batting in practice sessions had been widely talked about ahead of India’s Asia Cup campaign.

All eyes will now be on how both sides perform on the field this Sunday, especially with the buzz surrounding the match following the events that unfolded earlier this year.