The opening clash saw Afghanistan face Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, marking the start of a competition featuring eight nations: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Oman, Hong Kong and hosts UAE.
The group stage continues until Friday September 19, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the Super Four stage. The grand final is set for Sunday September 28 in Dubai, and with the format in play, fans could see India and Pakistan meet as many as three times.
Tickets are available through Platinumlist, starting from Dhs40 in Abu Dhabi and Dhs50 in Dubai. Packages are also on offer, including a seven-match bundle priced from Dhs1,400 that covers India vs Pakistan and the final, though fans have been warned to avoid third-party resellers.
The tournament was originally due to be held in India but was moved to the UAE following a dispute between cricket boards. With major fixtures lined up and capacity crowds expected, this year’s Asia Cup is set to be one of the biggest sporting events the Emirates has ever staged.