PCB rues low attendance in the UAE series

Fans trying to put numerous scandals, allegations behind them.

DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been disappointed with the low attendance witnessed during the ongoing ‘home’ series against South Africa in the UAE and remains less than optimistic about the forthcoming Test series.

Pakistan have been forced to play the series in Abu Dhabi and Dubai due to the security situation in the country. While a big turnout was expected, especially in the Twenty20 matches preceding the One-Day International (ODI) series, the turnout has been very poor.

“Our priority was to play our home series in Pakistan but that, unfortunately, isn’t possible right now,” a PCB spokesperson told The Express Tribune in Dubai. “Playing in the UAE was never our priority but we have to play to stay alive in international cricket.

“As far as the low attendance is concerned, I think we got a good response in the ODIs and the Twenty20s but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for the Test matches. However, despite facing numerous scandals throughout the summer, we got a good response by the sponsors away from home which is the reason we’re able to confirm this series.”

The spokesperson praised the sponsors’ backing, given the financial situation in the UAE, and confirmed it was ‘very hard to fetch a sponsor who could afford the cost of the series spread over the five-ODI, two-T2os and two-Test matches’.

Attracting crowds and generating income from ticket-sales, according to the spokesperson, was never high on the PCB’s agenda for the series given the working culture.

“Although we have millions of Pakistanis working here, their priority is not to attend the matches, especially given the timings and the working life, but we were able to get a decent crowd on the weekend so that was a healthy sign.”

Dubai officials remain concerned

The manager of the Dubai Sports City Mazhar Khan also expressed his woes ahead of the Test series. “We’ve tried to bring in as many fans as we can for the Test series as we gave a special package on ticket purchase. I’m hoping it works and brings fans to the Test matches but I’m not too sure about it.

“However, it is a very good experience to host international matches for Pakistan and our relationship with the PCB has been a really good one. We have always welcomed them to host their matches here at any time until teams start visiting Pakistan again.”

Fans want to focus on cricket

The recent spot-fixing allegations, however, have dismayed many Pakistani fans in the UAE.

“We’re trying to forget the scam that, for a while, dismayed us and we decided to stop following Pakistan but things are now fading out,” said a fan at the ground. “The way Abdul Razzaq played that day [in the third ODI], it encouraged us to turn towards the game again.

“The biggest issue, however, is coming to the ground because Dubai Sports City Stadium is far from the city, has no parking area and no public transport access. We’re already exhausted by the time we enter the stadium.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2010.