Tests are becoming increasingly unable to attract large crowds, with the recently concluded Test between Pakistan and England at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium being a painful reminder. PHOTO: AFP
When Pakistan and England opened their Test series in Abu Dhabi, only 54 people watched the first day at the 20,000-capacity Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
The stadium’s operations manager Shahnawaz Hakim admitted that crowds have always been bigger for ODIs than for five-day Tests. “We put prices on tickets in anticipation that people would come, but there were insignificant numbers on the first two days,” said Hakim.
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This was despite ticket prices being comparatively cheap, ranging from just $5 to $28.
“We expect more people in the ODIs — in fact, it’s always a full house on Fridays in limited overs matches,” said Hakim, talking of the four one-dayers and three T20Is which will follow the three-match Test series.
England’s enthusiastic supporters group, the touring “Barmy Army” outnumbered local fans, mainly expats from India and Pakistan whose time to watch cricket is severely limited by their work duties.
The number of spectators rose to around 5,500 on Thursday — a holiday due to the first day of the Islamic calendar — and on Friday, the traditional weekly rest day in the Gulf.
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But it came down to 2,500 on Saturday as the match headed for a draw on a flat pitch drained of its lifeblood.
Even the drama in the final evening session, when England were denied a possible victory by bad light, came too late to whet the appetite of stay-away fans. When play was halted, England were just 25 runs away from victory.
Dubai will stage the second Test from Thursday, where crowds will again be sparse although organisers are hopeful of an upturn for the final Test in Sharjah.
The narrowest of escapes
The argument that fans cannot spare time in the day to watch Test matches led the MCC cricket committee to back day-night Tests using the pink ball.
Adelaide will host a Test under lights for the first time next month when Australia take on New Zealand.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2015.
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