Cricket's hub Dubai abuzz as India's base

Dubai is the all-format, all-country cricket destination – the preferred venue for bilateral matches, IPL, neutral Tests, training camps for English County teams. And now the Champions Trophy.

- Amrit Mathur

Dubai works because it’s accessible, friendly, neutral, and has great facilities. Just as some hotels and resorts have aced the destination wedding market, Dubai is the first choice for cricket melas. The circus just needs to turn up, after that it is plug and play.

Currently it’s hosting India in the ICC CT while a side show unfolds in Pakistan. With India playing here, Dubai is buzzing. The India-Pakistan game attracted all those who are part of its ecosystem plus others affected by FOMO.

The much hyped India-Pakistan battle was a dud, one that tanked at the box office. Fans sensed that Pakistan lacked quality, so the atmosphere was thanda and no amount of hype created by the broadcaster could generate interest in an unequal contest. Gavaskar called it right when he said India ‘A’ would beat this Pakistan side.