The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced free tickets for the second test match between Pakistan and New Zealand. It was an attempt to attract Karachiites to the stadium. However, the tale of empty stadiums persists as international cricket makes a return to Pakistan.
From my visual estimation, the PCB failed to fill even 5% of the seats in the venue. It might be a slight improvement from attendance in the first test, however, it disproves the hypothesis that people don’t turn up due to the cost of tickets. National Stadium experienced unexpectedly low attendance despite the free tickets.
Overseas, test cricket is celebrated as an occasion - a picnic - where families and kids arrive, to enjoy the day.
So, who is to blame?
Test cricket, due to its slow and protracted nature, attracts fewer spectators. To compensate for that, stadiums across the world offer other perks. Both Lords and The Oval cricket grounds in England allow spectators to enter the ground during lunch and tea breaks. The crowd is free to use the ground to play cricket, take pictures or sunbathe. In contrast, the National Stadium not only restricts the crowd entrance but also blocks the view with a 20 feet tall wire mesh. Boundary lines are also at least 20 feet away from the mesh, making for a disengaging ambiance. Additionally, the meshes block the view of the ground and pitch, making it less picturesque.
While foreign managements allow people inside the ground, Pakistani stadiums do not even allow food and drinks. Overseas, test cricket is celebrated as an occasion - a picnic - where families and kids arrive to enjoy the day.
At the Karachi Stadium, food and drinks can be bought outside, however, bottles are not permitted in the stands. Two possible reasons for the restriction could be littering or the concern of the audience throwing bottles inside the stadium. However, food containers are allowed inside, and they cause littering and could also be thrown inside the ground. Therefore, both reasons fail to hold up to basic scrutiny.
The disengagement exponentially grows when in-ground mics are unavailable. All foreign grounds have designated MCs to cheer up the crowd with the help of chants, music, and live score updates. Despite the availability of music and mics, they rarely seem to be used here. The crowd was noticeably bored, unengaged, and people were witnessed leaving the stadium in droves after a few overs. The foreign commentators and better cameras remained focused on the television coverage while leaving the spectators unattended, who took their day off to support the team in the stadium.
Ease of access is a major push factor for people willing to come. As the National Stadium Road is blocked for security reasons, spectators have to walk over 2 kilometers to the stadium. Upon reaching the Main Gate, the match-goers are demanded to present a physical copy of their purchased ticket. Security refuses to accept the online version, despite having scanners. Several people complained that the staff also turned down some physical versions, and instructed them to get a new copy from a designated shop - presumably to acquire a piece of the pie.
Players should also play their part and engage with the audience. Test cricket is a five day long game, which often results in a draw more often than not in Pakistan’s case. Last month, England announced the arrival of modern-day test cricket, where players play positive cricket and aim for a result, instead of a draw.
The management shall encourage players to come to the stands and take pictures with the crowd. The audience looks up to the cricketers as national heroes. A closer glimpse of their heroes makes the trip worthwhile.
While the security of foreign players remains a top priority for the PCB, small acts of engaging the audience elevate the overall experience. Expensive tickets might not be the reason behind the stands remaining empty, however, a less than engaging experience definitely is. All the management, players, groundsmen, and MCs should contribute to boosting the spectator experience. Increasing attendance and participation portrays a positive soft image of a cricket-loving nation, as international cricket’s revival continues in Pakistan.