The first advertisement of the Asia Cup 2018 has been released. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will play directly in the tournament while one team from Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, Nepal, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong would play directly in the Asia Cup main tournament.
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The Asia Cup 2018 will be played in 50 over format. Star Sports would broadcast the Unimoni Asia Cup 2018 this time. CEO of Star Sports Gautam Thakar “A lot of times our success is relative to what our neighbour”s success is. There is this rivalry among neighbours, which is the insight we tapped for this film and the rest of the campaign that we have. Also, there is a no bigger rivalry in cricket than India-Pakistan. And we believe that it is about getting the best out of each other, which the Asia Cup is about. This film just captures that,” said Thakar.
The ad film talks about Asian neighbours fighting for Asian Supremacy. India and Pakistan would meet each other on 19th September in the first match. India, Pakistan and the qualifier have been clubbed in Group A while Group B comprises of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Top two teams in each group would qualify for the Super 4’s.
India has won the most Asia Cup titles with 6, followed by Sri Lanka with 5, Pakistan 2.
The title of this ad film is “Knock Knock”. The campaign shows the rivalry between Asian teams and the love for cricket in the subcontinent. It shows the excitement among the people about the tournament.
In the Super 4’s also, India and Pakistan will meet each other again. If both teams qualify for the finals they would meet again on the 28th September. It will be an exciting series with India are the defending champions of Asia Cup held in 2016.
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Gautam Thakar, chief executive officer, Star Sports, says, “We are seeing good interest from advertisers because it has been a long time since India and Pakistan have played in Dubai or the Middle East and I think that, traditionally, has been the seat of the rivalry. Obviously, we have had a good run against Pakistan in most World Cups but for the finals in the Champions Trophy 2017, so there is an expectation that India is going to hit back.”
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According to Thakar “I think, in this Asia Cup, there could be up to three India vs Pakistan matches because there is one in the group stage, one in the Super Four stage and then one if both of them reach the finals. There has not been too many times where India has played Pakistan three times in a series. That”s driving not just the sponsors but user interest as well. I think the viewership will stem from that, so we are excited.”
