Dubai ready to host Asia Cup 2022 cricket games including India versus Pakistan

Emirate will stage 10 of the 13 matches during the tournament

India's players attend a practice session ahead of their cricket match against Pakistan during the Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on August 25. AFP

Virat Kohli of India warms up during the training session at the ICC Academy. Getty Images

The Indian team practise at the academy ground. AFP

The players during the practice session. AFP

They train together in Dubai. AFP

India's KL Rahul bats in the nets. AFP

Pakistan cricketers attend a practice session at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. AFP

They are practising ahead of their cricket match against India during the Asia Cup. AFP

The Pakistani practice session. AFP

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. AFP

Pakistan captain Babar Azam. AFP

Azam practises before the match. AFP

Pakistan coach Saqlain Mushtaq gives a press conference. AFP

Sri Lanka's players attend a practice session ahead of their cricket match against Afghanistan during the Asia Cup. AFP

They practise at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. AFP

Rohit Sharma of India plays a shot. All subsequent photos: Pawan Singh / The National

Virat Kohli and teammates train at the ICC Academy.

The Pakistan cricket team train in the nets at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Shaheen Afridi takes a break from bowling during a nets session in Dubai.

Shadab Khan of Pakistan.

Virat Kohli in action.

Rohit Sharma and other members of the India team leaving the ICC Academy.

Fans wait for the India cricket team outside the ICC Academy in Dubai.

India players take a break during training.

Rohit Sharma of India.

Afghanistan players take part in a nets session at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan plays a shot.

Virat Kohli of India.

Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma of India.

Afghanistan players during training at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Dubai Sports Council (DSC) confirmed on Thursday that the city was ready to “safely and securely” play host to matches throughout the 16-day tournament.

The emirate will host 10 of the 13 matches at this year’s Asia Cup cricket tournament, including the eagerly awaited clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday, August 28.

The emirate will also hold the opening fixture between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan this Saturday, August 27, at Dubai International Stadium.

The tournament was initially scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka but political turmoil there meant it had to be moved to a new host nation.

The final will also be held in Dubai on September 11.

“We are delighted to host the 2022 Asia Cup, the second largest cricket event in the world,” said Khalid Al Zarooni, chairman of the board of Dubai Sports City.

“It is watched by millions of fans across Asia and beyond. Dubai International Stadium will host the tournament for the second consecutive time. The last edition was also held in Dubai in 2018.

“This reflects Dubai’s status as the best city to host such mega-events.”

The gates will open three hours before the matches start. The ground has a 25,000 seating capacity, which can expand to 30,000.

The stadium in Sports City is accessible by public transport with parking also available for those travelling by private car.

Tickets to the game between India and Pakistan, described as the “final before the final” sold out within hours of going on sale.

“Dubai is now a destination of choice for individual athletes and squads. It is an ideal location to host major sports events thanks to its accessibility and amenities required to welcome participants and the audience,” said Saeed Hareb, secretary general of the DSC.

“The UAE in general and Dubai, in particular, has gained the world’s confidence in its ability to host any event successfully.

“Dubai has set global benchmarks and is now a role model in hosting and organising major global sports events, such as cricket’s Twenty20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League at Dubai International Stadium.”

He said that the DSC is committed to hosting and organising popular sporting events to meet the desires of the various segments of the emirate’s multicultural society.

More than four million Indians and Pakistanis alone call the UAE their home.