Approximately 40,000 tickets have been purchased online, since the sales began on Thursday, 3 April 2014.

Mumbai Indian’s Kieron Pollard hits a six as Chennai Super Kings’ Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks on during their IPL match. — AFP file

The imminent Pepsi IPL 2014 has captured the imagination of cricket-lovers in the UAE. Followers of the sport are in the process of securing their tickets for the matches being played in the UAE, in April 2014.

Almost 40,000 tickets have been purchased online, since the sales began on Thursday, 3 April 2014. 20,000 of these were snapped up within an hour of going live.

“This is a remarkable start. The sale of tickets off the field will be complemented by some exhilarating cricket on the field, in the fifteen days from April 16 to 30,” Ranjib Biswal, Chairman, Governing Council, IPL, said.

Chief Executive of the Emirates Cricket Board, David East, feels that those who have not yet bought tickets should get online to make their purchase before the sold-out signs are displayed.

“It’s pleasing to see the way online ticket sales have sold for the United Arab Emirates leg of the Pepsi IPL 2014. Apart from the cricket fans, the interest of cricket is growing among the people in the UAE. This is evident from the number of tickets sold on the very first day. The spectators will come in huge numbers to support and savour the IPL,” East said.

Tickets are available online on www.iplt20.com and www.ticketmaster.ae. They will be available at selected Lulu Hypermarkets in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, from Monday, April 7.

The Lulu Hypermarkets outlets where tickets will be available, are as follows: Dubai: Al Barsha; Al Qusais; Al Karama; Arabian Centre