News

All roads lead to Dubai International Stadium for epic India-Pakistan clash

Published

1 year ago

February 23, 2025

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The buzz is real, and the excitement is off the charts as India and Pakistan prepare to lock horns in the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai.

The ICC Academy, where the Indian team held their practice session, turned into a frenzy as security guards struggled to hold back hundreds of eager fans, desperate for a glimpse of their favourite cricketers. With just hours to go before the highly anticipated clash, ticket holders, access ID carriers, and even security personnel were bombarded with requests for that pass to the big match.

Few Lucky Fans Get a Helping Hand

The demand for tickets has skyrocketed, given Dubai’s massive Indian and Pakistani communities. But there’s a catch — the cheapest seat in the 30,000-capacity stadium is said to cost a whopping Dh500.

For many blue-collar workers, attending the game seemed impossible — until Indian businessman Anis Sajan, vice-chairman of the Danube Group, stepped in as an unexpected hero. He held a lucky draw and gifted 100 tickets to his employees. For those who missing out, he has set up a special screening for them.

Said Sajan: “Many of these workers are die-hard fans, but high ticket prices keep them from watching their idols live. This is my way of making their dream come true.”

And he’s not the only one. Some other employers too have gifted match tickets.

Cricket Mania Grips the City

Dubai’s cricket fever has reached new heights. Malls are dealing with staff shortages as leave applications have poured in, and a popular cinema chain has arranged live screenings for those unable to secure stadium seats.

Security measures will be tight, with roads leading to the Dubai International Stadium set to close from 10:30 am ahead of the match start. The venue will be packed, and fans are hoping for a classic clash.

A Rivalry Like No Other

The anticipation is palpable, but there’s no interaction between the two teams ahead of the game. While India practised at the ICC Academy, Pakistan trained at the Dubai Stadium. Even fan groups are keeping their celebrations separate to avoid any tensions.

Ahead of the match, India’s in-form batter Shubman Gill was asked whether the hype around India-Pakistan clashes is overblown. His response? “India-Pakistan has a long history. It’s always an exciting contest. If so many people love watching it, who are we to say if it’s overhyped or not? We’re here to play cricket.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Aaqib Javed also acknowledged the pressure. “Every game has pressure, but against India, it doesn’t matter if it’s a must-win or not—our players are ready to raise the bar.”

Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Mudassar Nazar believes his team must step up. “Playing India in Dubai is different.

They have all bases covered,” he admitted. Still, he remains hopeful: “We’ve beaten India twice here. We’ll aim for a third. It’ll be a great match.”

Despite missing ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and having an out-of-form Virat Kohli, India enters the contest as favourites. But as history has shown, anything can happen in an India-Pakistan match.

One thing’s for sure — come match day, Dubai will witness cricket at its most electrifying. Buckle up, because this one’s going to be special, and fingers crossed that rain doesn’t play spoilsport.

The Squads for the match

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

What time will the match start:

The match will begin at 1:00 pm (UAE time). Toss is scheduled for 12:30 pm.

Where is the match being played?

The India vs Pakistan, Group A match will be played at the Dubai International Stadium.

Which channels will broadcast the match?

Star Sports Network and Network 18 channels in India.
Tamasha and PTV Sports will stream the matches live in Pakistan
You can watch live streaming on Willow in the US.
Sky Sports Cricket in the UK
Prime Video in Australia

(Source: Agencies)

News

Pakistan passport services in UAE likely to resume on May 4

Published

3 days ago

May 1, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai indicated that passport services, disrupted due to technical issues, are expected to resume on Monday, May 4.

The suspension, announced earlier this week by Pakistan’s missions in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, stems from a major technical glitch that affected systems across multiple countries. Officials confirmed that all in-person processing would remain halted until further notice.

Roughly 800 to 1,000 expats rely on the consulate and embassy every day. That’s a huge volume, and delays have hit people needing passport renewals, visa processing, and residency-related paperwork. For several residents, it has directly affected their travel plans, legal status, and employment.

To ease the impact, missions have advised Pakistani citizens to use the online passport application system for renewals and new requests where possible. Those unable to access digital services are asked to wait for further guidance until operations are restored.

Crime

Dubai Police issue urgent warning: Secure your devices now

Published

3 days ago

May 1, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai Police have issued a fresh reminder to residents to strengthen the security of home surveillance systems and internet-connected devices, warning that weak settings can leave users vulnerable to hacking, privacy breaches, and even cyber extortion.

The alert comes as part of ongoing awareness campaigns led by the General Department of Criminal Investigation, represented by the Cybercrime and Electronic Crime Department. Authorities noted that many cyberattacks exploit devices with default or weak configurations, making them easy targets.

Residents are advised to take simple but vital steps:

•Change default passwords immediately after activating any device.
•Use strong, complex passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols.
•Regularly update operating systems and apps to patch security gaps.
•Avoid sharing personal details or passwords with unverified sources.
•Switch off surveillance systems when not in use, especially in private spaces.
•Stay alert to suspicious links or apps from unreliable platforms.

Dubai Police emphasised that awareness remains the first line of defence against cybercrime. To support the public, residents can access advice through the e-Crime Hub and report incidents via official channels or by calling 901 for non-emergency cases.

Authorities reiterated that community cooperation is key to reducing cybercrime and protecting individuals, families, and property in the digital age.

News

Dh400 fine for jaywalking in Dubai: What residents must know

Published

3 days ago

April 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Pedestrians in Dubai are being urged to follow road safety rules, as Dubai Police warns that crossing from non-designated areas remains a leading cause of run-over accidents.

Officials say that despite the availability of pedestrian bridges and safe crossings across major roads, some individuals continue to take risks, especially on high-speed routes where drivers may not be able to stop in time.

The warning follows a recent incident where a pedestrian was injured after attempting to cross from an unsafe location in the city. The individual sustained minor injuries.

According to Brigadier Jumaa Salem Bin Suwaidan, pedestrians who ignore crossing rules not only risk their own safety but also endanger drivers and other road users.

Under UAE traffic laws, crossing outside designated areas or ignoring signals can result in a Dh400 fine, reinforcing the importance of using marked crossings and following traffic lights.

Residents have been urged to use designated crossings and stay alert, particularly on busy roads. With increasing traffic and high vehicle speeds in many areas, even a short shortcut can carry serious risks.