Steps the PCB can take to help revive cricketing interest among the Pakistani population again?

[Savak]

For a country that has not had consistent international cricket at home, empty stands during international matches and PSL games and domestic games does not inspire any confidence among commercial sponsors and broadcasters.

The ticket prices are ranging from Rs 50 - 2,000 so its not extra ordinarily expensive to match the match at the stadium. There were a few match winners playing this game as well therefore it does not justify having empty stands.

The PCB needs to get out of the medieval lazy mindset that just because Cricket is the number one game in the country, it will sell itself on its own. It actually needs to go out there on the streets and do some real world i.e. having posters, banners are over the city, tv and radio and social media advertisements, signing deals with schools, colleges and some organizations to provide subsidized tickets in exchange for allowing kids, workers to attend matches, announcing draws where spectators have the chance to make money, inviting musicians and artists to have concerts at the beginning or middle of the match.

They have to spend money big time to drive back cricketing interest again and avoid thinking of it as an unnecessary expense. Consistently playing in front of empty stadiums is going to damage the commercial reputation of the PCB and the team and no broadcaster will offer big bucks when he sees the team has no demand, takers.

 

[Major]

Introduce a marketing department for pcb....

This will work on promotion plus it can also work on the business to business dealings aseell in terms of sponsors.

Right now pcb works on relationships. They have good relations with xyz business so they will get sponsor from them etc...

Get a marketing dept that covers both pcb and psl overall alot of problems get solved through in. It should consisst of people who specilize in sports marketing.

 

[JibranAnsari]

People dont like to get into lines and go through tough security just to watch a match. They can enjoy it on tv.

 

[Savak]

Introduce a marketing department for pcb....

This will work on promotion plus it can also work on the business to business dealings aseell in terms of sponsors.

Right now pcb works on relationships. They have good relations with xyz business so they will get sponsor from them etc...

Get a marketing dept that covers both pcb and psl overall alot of problems get solved through in. It should consisst of people who specilize in sports marketing.

The PCB already has a Commercial and Marketing Dept. Not sure what they are really getting paid to do and what do they do exactly. No Commercial Sponsors have been found for the regional team and the PSL hasn't grown as much commercially as i would have liked and now we have empty stadiums at home for Pakistani home games and PSL.

Why not just out source the marketing function to dedicated marketing companies, professionals instead if they can't find a competent person?

 

[Savak]

People dont like to get into lines and go through tough security just to watch a match. They can enjoy it on tv.

The PCB needs to learn from political parties and the jalsas they attract.

 

[Major]

The PCB already has a Commercial and Marketing Dept. Not sure what they are really getting paid to do and what do they do exactly. No Commercial Sponsors have been found for the regional team and the PSL hasn't grown as much commercially as i would have liked and now we have empty stadiums at home for Pakistani home games and PSL.

Why not just out source the marketing function to dedicated marketing companies, professionals instead if they can't find a competent person?

There arnt that many marketing companies around here and majority of them dont know how to do sports marketing....

You can outsource the digital marketing but still as an organization you need a group that decides what kind of branding and goal you want to set. Govt organizations in pakistan dont pay heed to marketing.

Empty stadiums also have other reasons.

Its really cold in pakistan, i dont know temps in karachi but our at my side it becomes prettyy chilly by night time.

Fans are not provided with facilities. In pindi what happens is that you have to park your car in some unsafe spot and than board a bus or some other transport that can actually drop you to the stadium. The pindi stadium doesnt even have any parking space.

So its just so many meters of walking. Than securuty clearance where you have to throw your devices like headphones, powercharger....

In the stadium area, all the food areas at the stadium premisis and near it are shut down. Pindi stadium has a food street. But on match day that food street is shut due to security.

Now you have to sit in the ground for the whole 4-6 hours without any lunch to eat. Inside the stadium stands, pcb gives out vendors to local raydee walas who sell expensive pepsi, lays, unhygenic rice sometimes by some person and teas........

You cant just walk outside and grab food cause everything is shut for security reasons. Anyways 4-5 hours it becomes a real khawari.

Than, in pindi matches end at 12 or close to 1. The metro bus shuts down by 10 or 11. So if you parked your transport really far away you need some other transport it cost ya.....

I dont know about karachi, but in pindi its khawari. Plus the match in stadium is something i found it boring, i do enjoy making noice with the ground but there isnt any banter or anything as all the fans are of the same country....

Even in psl, we dont have the rivalries that we could do banters of islamabad vs peshawari.

If life gives me an oppurtunity, i wish to watch a cricket match in a foreign country and truly understand what its like to watch the game in the stadium.

My experience till now has been quite boring .

 

[shujaatraza]

The PCB needs to learn from political parties and the jalsas they attract.

Start giving free biryani and cold drink to attend?
I think now that Pakistan is seeing pretty much regular live cricket so people now want better opposition to go to stadium. Watching same sides and that too not at full strength is not attractive enough anymore. The missing live cricket starvation is over for Pakistani now

 

[Major]

The PCB needs to learn from political parties and the jalsas they attract.

Gone are the days when political parties attracted people who cared about politics.

Political parties had their fans and support, people used to come out it as they believed and really supported their leaders

On pp you will find overseas pakistani telling us that benazir and shareef are bad only immy is the true leader. But people here really cared and would get riled up by the speeches of our politicians.

Now adays due to lack of politicians that could connect to with the people, people have lost faith in the politicians and dont care for the rallies.

Now adays, rallies are employees of different companies who are forced to attend.

Ppp and pti often gets malik riaz to send its bahria town employees forcefully to jalsas so that it seems that alot of people came. Not attending could lead to pay cuts

 

[Maher96]

If we are to host any international cricket.

We need big changes.

Better stands for crowds.
Lightning needs improvement.
Grounds have improved but more needs to be done.

Mostly people know its a poor West Indies side without the yesteryear winners.

Think the positive covid cases hurt them badly.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Steps:
1. Win more
2. Keep winning more.

 

[Syed1]

Maybe invite better opposition than minnows like Windies and Sri Lanka

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Why is the stadium empty? Pakistanis stop being cheap and go support your team.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Maybe invite better opposition than minnows like Windies and Sri Lanka

no one else wants to come, look what happened with new zeland / england, india will not tour and only leaves south africa

 

[finalfantasy7]

Why is the stadium empty? Pakistanis stop being cheap and go support your team.

thr too cheap, the average Pakistani doesn't understand how to balance things around, people wont spend thr disposable income in Pakistan

 

[realitygaf]

Pakistan vs West Indies tickets are being sold online only, removing those who deal with Cash

It looks like the entire Pak vs WI tour has tickets being sold online only through those that pay with a card. This means there are no in person ticket purchases on day of game and thus a majority of the population cannot come and watch this. What is this stupidity. It looks like this was done to add a layer of security that a person cannot purchase a ticket in person using cash and get in. No wonder the stadium was empty

 

[realitygaf]

for one, dont limit ticket sales to online only...

 

[sweep_shot]

Since these are irrelevant bilateral games, people probably don't have much interest.

I think Pakistan should host some big tournaments (Asia Cup, World Cup etc.). That can bring in big crowds.

Also, big teams (Australia, England, India etc.) can generate more interest.

 

[Savak]

It looks like the entire Pak vs WI tour has tickets being sold online only through those that pay with a card. This means there are no in person ticket purchases on day of game and thus a majority of the population cannot come and watch this. What is this stupidity. It looks like this was done to add a layer of security that a person cannot purchase a ticket in person using cash and get in. No wonder the stadium was empty

Incompetency from the PCB. This is something Ramiz has to be held responsible for.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Why PCB has to be so stupid...

 

[Varun]

Good.

It keeps the touts out of the picture.

 

[Varun]

The majority of the population you refer to should invest in themselves so they are educated, literate and part of the financial system. Cricket is trivial in comparison.

It's not an unreasonable ask 2 decades into the 21st century.

 

[realitygaf]

The majority of the population you refer to should invest in themselves so they are educated, literate and part of the financial system. Cricket is trivial in comparison.

It's not an unreasonable ask 2 decades into the 21st century.

Unlike India where most of the cricketers and up and coming school kids educate themselves, In Pakistan most of the cricketers are uneducated so if you remove cricket from their interest the biggest sports investment in pakistan, in fact the only "successful" major business outside of banks in Pakistan dies with it.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Maybe if Pakistan can start to have a home season more consistently, it will get better especially in terms of marketing & finalizing match dates well in advance like we saw England do. Dates for the tours become finalized so late & as a result, tickets aren't on sale for that long either so people can't really plan properly for a match.

Even in North American sports, you see schedules months and year or so in advance of the match being played and tickets are on sale for a long period of time. Having finalized dates in these tours throughout the year should also given Pakistan a better opportunity to see when & where players can be rested exactly as well.

 

[JaDed]

The majority of the population you refer to should invest in themselves so they are educated, literate and part of the financial system. Cricket is trivial in comparison.

It's not an unreasonable ask 2 decades into the 21st century.

Er no.. the only positive effect of demonetization was Indian public getting digital, that’s not how it works everywhere even in Texas tickets are always available at the stands for cash in major state fairs(with lines of people on it).

 

[UP]

Pakistan is still a cash society in this day and age. Which fool decided to go ahead with this policy?

Tickets should have have been available to buy in cash a month ago.

 

[shamaan]

Ramiz should be held accountable.

 

[mon858]

Seems like 3 major reasons:
1. Online only sale
2. Challenging experience to get to match due to all the security restrictions, far parking ,etc.
3. Poor in ground experience. Facilities, ability to go in and out, grab outside food, lighting, clean washrooms, closeness to field (this is worst in qaddafi)

Long term need to solves for these minimally , and not much marketing g needed people will come automatically.

Recently had a chance to watch game live in Dubai, experience was amazing compared to karachi. Best part was ground boundary was hardly few feet from stand. Besides the facilities being very nice, food, and other services, etc. Bit of walk from parking but not a huge delay.

 

[Gayle_Force]

Might also be a case of people just losing some interest after too much cricket in a short span of time especially after the high of the World Cup

 

[Nasty Naz]

Seems like 3 major reasons:
1. Online only sale
2. Challenging experience to get to match due to all the security restrictions, far parking ,etc.
3. Poor in ground experience. Facilities, ability to go in and out, grab outside food, lighting, clean washrooms, closeness to field (this is worst in qaddafi)

Long term need to solves for these minimally , and not much marketing g needed people will come automatically.

Recently had a chance to watch game live in Dubai, experience was amazing compared to karachi. Best part was ground boundary was hardly few feet from stand. Besides the facilities being very nice, food, and other services, etc. Bit of walk from parking but not a huge delay.

I haven't been to a Karachi stadium but experience in Dubai was fine but nothing exceptional. The stadium is basically around nothing and they had no food to serve other than just some mediocre rolls. I could be wrong since I only went there once but I am not even sure they have access via metro or bus. It's why the stadium is hardly ever packed as well.

A lot of North American stadiums are set in downtown areas where it's always busy & crowded with people. There's plenty of scenery, restaurants and things to do around the area so there is always something to do before & after the game.

Cleanliness & good food should definitely be a priority. If people are coming to ODI/Test matches which are like an 8 hour event, there should be access to good food & plenty of options. I don't know if they do in-game entertainment/promotion, it doesn't seem like they do from TV but doing that to have more entertainment for the younger crowd and keeping them engaged/making noise would make for a good atmosphere as well.

 

[Giannis]

I visited Pakistan in the mid 2000s and went to a few cricket games with my cousins, Pakistan has always had poor attendance records - stadiums were usually empty for most home games (2004-2008) with the only exception being the ones against India. I don't know if it's a cultural thing or the PCB's incompetence, I feel like the people of Pakistan are just as much to blame as a lot of them are anti-fun.

 

[offstump]

I haven't been to a Karachi stadium but experience in Dubai was fine but nothing exceptional. The stadium is basically around nothing and they had no food to serve other than just some mediocre rolls. I could be wrong since I only went there once but I am not even sure they have access via metro or bus. It's why the stadium is hardly ever packed as well.

A lot of North American stadiums are set in downtown areas where it's always busy & crowded with people. There's plenty of scenery, restaurants and things to do around the area so there is always something to do before & after the game.

Cleanliness & good food should definitely be a priority. If people are coming to ODI/Test matches which are like an 8 hour event, there should be access to good food & plenty of options. I don't know if they do in-game entertainment/promotion, it doesn't seem like they do from TV but doing that to have more entertainment for the younger crowd and keeping them engaged/making noise would make for a good atmosphere as well.

The cricket stadiums in Pakistan and most other countries are purpose built stadiums, the model is totally different from downtown rejuvenation or entertainment type districts that you find in North America. Having said that, at a minimum there should be better food options but to have restaurants or fast food chains inside the stadium is a losing proposition for these businesses as there are hardly any matches played vs something like an entire nfl or nba season. I think food carts, grab and go and other quick match day only options shouldn’t be too hard to implement. Unless you’re in the VIP box the washrooms are filthy, the crowds aren’t the greatest and the security is probably the greatest deterrent. For a T20 match you’ve got to plan for double the time. The match started at 6, most people getting off work around that time so they wouldn’t even be able to make it in until the second innings given all the checkpoints, access to the stadium etc. then same thing getting out. Then you gotta go to work in the morning.. doesn’t sound that appealing.

 

[Varun]

Er no.. the only positive effect of demonetization was Indian public getting digital, that’s not how it works everywhere even in Texas tickets are always available at the stands for cash in major state fairs(with lines of people on it).

Unlike India where most of the cricketers and up and coming school kids educate themselves, In Pakistan most of the cricketers are uneducated so if you remove cricket from their interest the biggest sports investment in pakistan, in fact the only "successful" major business outside of banks in Pakistan dies with it.

Believe me - if this policy holds for a couple of series, people will figure out how to buy them online if they absolutely want to see the cricket.

It's hardly rocket science.

 

[sam_ahm]

As it is the WI team is very weak, even at full strength. On top of that they've sent an even weaker team. I don't blame Pakistan fans for not watching. Who will watch such crap?

As long as these franchise leagues don't go bankrupt, international cricket will continue to get compromised.

 

[Major]

Online sales is not a problem. Again, posters not knowing ground realities.

Everyone in pakisran has mobile phones and alot of people know how to do online purchae due to easy paisa.

 

[Local.Dada]

I remember watching some Pakistan games played in Pakistan on TV in the 90’s, outside of Ind vs Pak games, the crowds in Pakistan were always underwhelming compared to India from what I remember.

Especially test cricket where mostly it was some Pathan looking men who probably got free tickets sitting on those cement benches and would leave after Afridi gets out.

Not sure if this is actually a new phenomenon.

The whole of Pakistan enjoyed the WT20 because it was energized by the drubbing given to India which no one expected. In fact I have never seen an amazing Pakistani support outside of some UK games up and until the semi final game vs Australia.

Let me put it this way, as long as India is crazy about cricket Pakistan will also be and will start producing world class talent that can beat any team. If cricket diminishes in India, Pakistan cricket or Sc cricket in general will be the biggest casualty.

 

[Local.Dada]

As it is the WI team is very weak, even at full strength. On top of that they've sent an even weaker team. I don't blame Pakistan fans for not watching. Who will watch such crap?

As long as these franchise leagues don't go bankrupt, international cricket will continue to get compromised.

International cricket has always been pointless. outside of world tournaments especially bilateral LOI’s.

Franchise cricket there is a lot more at stake. There is big money which with all the negatives also brings in some positives like accountability and professionalism. That’s why you see a lot of players take leagues a lot more intensely than bilateral games.

We are now at stage where if franchise cricket ends, cricket will also die a slow boring death.

 

[MenInG]

Crowds missing from Karachi games.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Incredibly sad to see an empty stadium in Karachi for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvWIt20?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvWIt20</a> especially after the performance of Pakistan Team in the last month. I’m pretty sure I know why but I want to hear from you! Tell me, where is the crowd and why??</p>— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) <a href="https://twitter.com/wasimakramlive/status/1470668846315016195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Kianig89]

Games should have been on weekends timing not ideal it's extremely cold season in Pakistan and playing night games not ideal
It should have been Friday 3pm 1st t20
Sunday 1pm 2nd t20

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Could be waaaay off the mark here but this is my 2p.

There isn't a cricket watching culture in Pakistan that can consistently attract large numbers of fans. The reasons overseas Pakistanis pack out stadiums abroad is because its one of the few chances we will get to wave the flag and shout slogans.

I think previously the crowds in Pakistan were very much male dominated lower/middle class who didn't have much of a pass time so they would watch cricket. Nowadays those people have more avenues of entertainment at their finger tips and don't care as much about watching cricket at the stadium.

What is missing is a sporting culture where families will watch games together. The PCB needs to focus its marketing on the family market and young kids and try to drive the crowds that way, but that requires a full cultural shift. I don't think a culture of a father taking his kids to games exists that much in Pakistan.

 

[Savak]

Online sales is not a problem. Again, posters not knowing ground realities.

Everyone in pakisran has mobile phones and alot of people know how to do online purchae due to easy paisa.

Aam janta like drivers, servants are not well versed in online banking. I have heard of a lot of problems with the Pakistani Cricket Stadiums i.e. rude security officials, law enforcement personnel. No decent food at the stadium, you can't bring your own food and bottles, substandard toilets, long walks from car parking to the stadium, lack of advertising and promotion by the PCB, no ticket sale booths in the city.

No wonder the stadiums are empty

 

[Giannis]

One thing I've noticed on camera is that the stands in Pakistani cricket stadiums are too far from the ground, there's a huge distance between the stand and the boundary, this make the match less engaging for the spectators and and makes for a poor product on the screen.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Looks like the experience to visit Stadium is very bad in Pakistan. I mean it is bad in India as well, but with more heavy handed security people are bound to get paranoid and avoid going to watch the matches.

 

[Last Monetarist]

I'll preface this by stating that personally I'll never bother to attend a T20 international match between Pakistan and the West Indies at the ground either, but talking with a few people in Karachi, there are a few compelling reasons why crowd numbers are low:

1. Lack of awareness of the series, there's been limited marketing by the PCB and most ordinary people aren't aware that an international series is being played

2. No avenue to purchase tickets at the ground, fans can't just walk up and buy tickets

3. Security hassles and covid restrictions

4. Weekday matches which start too early for people to get off work and reach the stadium on time

5. Lack of quality of the opposition

Pakistan might as well be playing in the UAE with these crowd numbers. However, I can't blame the public at all for not turning up.

Recent crowd trends around the world are pretty clear to me, the problem isn't with Test cricket, but bilateral cricket in general.

 

[MenInG]

Seems there are proposals to have free entry for the ODI Series - should help in getting more people in.

 

[MenInG]

Seems there are proposals to have free entry for the ODI Series - should help in getting more people in.

From media reports:

According to sources, PCB called a virtual meeting which was attended by senior board officials and members of relevant departments

After reviewing many aspects, various decisions were agreed upon in principle. It is likely that PCB will allow free entry for fans in ODI series, starting from December 18.

 

[Pakpak]

Looks like the experience to visit Stadium is very bad in Pakistan. I mean it is bad in India as well, but with more heavy handed security people are bound to get paranoid and avoid going to watch the matches.

Noones getting paranoid at all. People don't like it as poor transport links away from car parking. No food. Long queues and waits inside the ground, bad timings for games.

This has been explained above from match going fans.

 

[James]

Keep it civil please.

 

[Major]

Aam janta like drivers, servants are not well versed in online banking. I have heard of a lot of problems with the Pakistani Cricket Stadiums i.e. rude security officials, law enforcement personnel. No decent food at the stadium, you can't bring your own food and bottles, substandard toilets, long walks from car parking to the stadium, lack of advertising and promotion by the PCB, no ticket sale booths in the city.

No wonder the stadiums are empty

You would be surprised how well versed aam janta is.

Yes pakistan was never a computer country however pakistan was always a cell phone country. Peopl are well versed here with phones. Cheap cell phone companies have allowed everyone to have smart phones with 3g. Many couldnt use internet in the past on broadband....

Than came phone banking. Easy paisa, jazz cash they changed everything. Pakistans digital economy isnt a card one but a cell phone one. Making payments through phone. Everyone uses easy paisa here.

Thus, the online payment method isnt an issue, yes the other issues you mentioned are right

 

[Major]

Could be waaaay off the mark here but this is my 2p.

There isn't a cricket watching culture in Pakistan that can consistently attract large numbers of fans. The reasons overseas Pakistanis pack out stadiums abroad is because its one of the few chances we will get to wave the flag and shout slogans.

I think previously the crowds in Pakistan were very much male dominated lower/middle class who didn't have much of a pass time so they would watch cricket. Nowadays those people have more avenues of entertainment at their finger tips and don't care as much about watching cricket at the stadium.

What is missing is a sporting culture where families will watch games together. The PCB needs to focus its marketing on the family market and young kids and try to drive the crowds that way, but that requires a full cultural shift. I don't think a culture of a father taking his kids to games exists that much in Pakistan.

Deadly venom you have hit a very good point here!!

I had never been to a test match, so last year when sri lanka came to pakistan i decided to attend to watch the test match early in the morning. No one went with me as it was a test match but i wanted to experience a test match and went alone.

Over there as play went on, people got bored, when will wicket come etc.... It was really boring to see the players bat and bowl. Crowds didnt know how to watch the game. Plus, you couldnt even go get lunch as all the lunch areas are bannee due to security reasons.

That day i realized that watching a test match is a different art and you need to work on that. Like have different commentator ear thingies available, let fans have a stadium where they could roam around and visit restaurants etc.

In t20 crixket, the fans are able to enjoy themselves. But there is also a difference between isb and pindi fans. Pindi fans like to enjoy make noise while the isloo fans are abit shy and like to participate in waves or hala gula.

But i doubt pcb would work on consumer behavior...

 

[MenInG]

Scenes outside NSK

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/8s1f68" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Could be waaaay off the mark here but this is my 2p.

There isn't a cricket watching culture in Pakistan that can consistently attract large numbers of fans. The reasons overseas Pakistanis pack out stadiums abroad is because its one of the few chances we will get to wave the flag and shout slogans.

I think previously the crowds in Pakistan were very much male dominated lower/middle class who didn't have much of a pass time so they would watch cricket. Nowadays those people have more avenues of entertainment at their finger tips and don't care as much about watching cricket at the stadium.

What is missing is a sporting culture where families will watch games together. The PCB needs to focus its marketing on the family market and young kids and try to drive the crowds that way, but that requires a full cultural shift. I don't think a culture of a father taking his kids to games exists that much in Pakistan.

Not true. There was a time when the world cup was held in India/Pakistan 1987, where you had jam packed crowds with a large women's enclosure which made a hell of a lot of noise. Back then Pakistan was a very highly rated team, their players were superstars like Imran, Mohsin Khan, Zaheer, Qadir etc. International cricket in general was a lot more popular as there was no T20 franchise leagues then.

Cricket is still a very marketable game if you can make it into a family friendly occasion where you aren't just turning up to watch a game. Good access, food options and comfortable and clean surroundings all could go to making it far more desirable event.

 

[shamaan]

From media reports:

According to sources, PCB called a virtual meeting which was attended by senior board officials and members of relevant departments

After reviewing many aspects, various decisions were agreed upon in principle. It is likely that PCB will allow free entry for fans in ODI series, starting from December 18.

They don't need to have free entry they should make the prices more reasonable so that all sorts of people come.

 

[MenInG]

Ramiz Raja:

“Of course for fans, so many security checks are a hassle"

“Our fans are of course exposed to seeing good teams and that is one reason why we’ve planned the series against Australia, England and New Zealand at a time when their best players are all available.”

Faisal Hasnain:

“It has to change, of course, the players who come here don’t want to be locked up in the hotels during their tours”