Poonam Nath

India vs Pakistan premium tickets worth INR 94 lakh sacrificed by PCB chairman; Dubai VIP box refused for funds

Digital Desk: Huge sacrifice by Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), gave up the 30-seat VIP Hospitality Box at the Dubai International Stadium on Monday for the blockbuster Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan, putting the revenues into the PCB's budget.

Naqvi was allegedly given over 400,000 dirhams (INR 94 lakh) for the VIP tickets.

According to Pakistani media reports, Naqvi was given a VIP box in Dubai for himself, his family, and visitors for the next match between India and Pakistan on February 23.

However, he chose to sell the tickets because he wanted to see the game from the stands and feel the excitement with the supporters and how they support the Pakistan squad on match days. He's already notified the ICC and Emirates Cricket Board of his decision.

According to the report, Naqvi plans to improve the stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Pindi using the funds and other seating proceeds from the ICC.

Defending champions On Wednesday, Pakistan will face New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy opener at Karachi's National Stadium.

On the other side, India's first match will be against Bangladesh on Thursday. Despite this, the spotlight will be on the enticing match between the two arch-rivals India vs Pakistan, which will be held in Dubai on Sunday.