Why does the PCB insist on hosting PSL matches in Dubai instead of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi?

[Savak]

As far as i am concerned the empty seats in Dubai Stadium are frankly speaking unacceptable for a PSL Season 4. It clearly tells you the level of patriotism or love for the nation the Pakistani community in Dubai has for their country. Dubai does not deserve to host any more PSL matches.

Why is the PCB hell bent on hosting matches in Dubai undeservedly? Why not host the games in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi where alteast a full jam-packed stadium will be guaranteed.

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Yeah Sharjah has always been a home away from home for the Pak team for years. No idea why they aren't trying to host more in Sharjah...

Maybe better stadium? Not too much variation in pitches or anything...

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Rent of stadium of Abu Dhabi is really expensive. Even when pakistan plays only 1 or 2 games are played in Abu Dhabi.

 

[Couch Cricketer]

Yeah Sharjah has always been a home away from home for the Pak team for years. No idea why they aren't trying to host more in Sharjah...

Maybe better stadium? Not too much variation in pitches or anything...

Dubai Stadium capacity is 25000 Sharjah is 16000 so the number of people probably is the same just one looks more crowded. Where as not playing more matches in Abu dhabi with a 20000 capacity is because that increases logistical expenses. More matches in ABu dhabi would mean teams would have to move to hotels in Abu Dhabi instead of just going for 1 match and coming back to their original Dubai/Sharjah hotel.

 

[MenInG]

Wasim Akram urges fans to fill up stadia for HBL PSL


Dubai, 15 February 2019:

Legendary Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram wants fans to fill up the stadium for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2019, as action began at the beautiful Dubai International Cricket Stadium Stadium on Thursday with a glittering opening ceremony, followed by a high-voltage match between defending champions Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars.

The theme "maidan Sajana Hay” (adorn the stadium) has been at full swing for the last two weeks as the buildup for the HBL PSL 4.

Wasim, one of the greatest left-arm pacemen to have played cricket, is with Karachi Kings as President after guiding Islamabad United to the title in the first edition in 2016. He was with Multan Sultans last year, helping a number of youngsters with his extraordinary guile and acumen. Wasim was famous as King of Sultan, as he bamboozled numerous batsmen around the world with his lethal swing.

Wasim delivered a number of lethal deliveries, but will always be remembered for his two magical ones that came in the all-important final of the 1992 World Cup. He grabbed 18 wickets and was declared "player of the tournament," as he guided Pakistan to their only World Cup title at the historic and gigantic MCG.

Wasim's contribution in the PSL is also significant. He helped Rumman Raees, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Sami and Shadab Khan shine at the HBL PSL when he was with Islamabad and then guided Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan and Mohammad Abbas while at Multan. Now he has two exciting left-armers – Mohammad Amir and Usman Shinwari – at Karachi Kings who will definitely mature under his wings.

But apart from his coaching and passing tips, Wasim also realises his duty to promote the PSL which is country's own brand and is getting better and better with every year.

He urges the fans in UAE -- mostly Pakistani expats -- to fill the stadiums.

“This league is ours, yours and of every Pakistani,” Wasim said. “Pakistan have made this league for Pakistani fans. All six teams are Pakistani owners.

“Whether come to the Dubai stadium or Sharjah or Abu Dhabi or for the matches in Pakistan. Whether they are watching it on television, just enjoy. This is our brand and we have to make it successful,” said the legend.

Wasim praised the efforts behind the staging of the league.

“It takes enormous effort to organize such a mega event, so from a small worker to the PCB chairman to those who are in the government to the PM Imran Khan, everyone deserves a big hand but at the end of the day fans have to make this league popular.

“I am sure people will come in large numbers in matches in Pakistan. Hopefully a day will come soon when our league will be completely held in Pakistan.”

 

[Slim]

As far as i am concerned the empty seats in Dubai Stadium are frankly speaking unacceptable for a PSL Season 4. It clearly tells you the level of patriotism or love for the nation the Pakistani community in Dubai has for their country. Dubai does not deserve to host any more PSL matches.

Why is the PCB hell bent on hosting matches in Dubai undeservedly? Why not host the games in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi where alteast a full jam-packed stadium will be guaranteed.

Dude WTH. The opening day was jam packed. Let the whole event go through, stop bickering about empty seats all the time. You have been way too influenced by the saffron color.

 

[Slim]

Dubai Stadium capacity is 25000 Sharjah is 16000 so the number of people probably is the same just one looks more crowded. Where as not playing more matches in Abu dhabi with a 20000 capacity is because that increases logistical expenses. More matches in ABu dhabi would mean teams would have to move to hotels in Abu Dhabi instead of just going for 1 match and coming back to their original Dubai/Sharjah hotel.

Also you cant really party in Abu Dhabi

 

[saeed5646]

Abu dhabi pitch is worse than dubai which tells you about how bad it is.I hope they have done something about it other wise not more than 140 will be score there

 

[arehaan]

Dubai Stadium was sold out yesterday. There were tickets being sold at premium outside so stop the empty stadium crap. I was there myself and talking based on personal experience.

Dubai stadium is the most complete stadium in UAE with the best available facilities. Sharjah and Abudhabi dont have the same level of seating arrangements nor the capacity, so it makes sense to utilize the best available stadium in the coutry

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Dubai Stadium capacity is 25000 Sharjah is 16000 so the number of people probably is the same just one looks more crowded. Where as not playing more matches in Abu dhabi with a 20000 capacity is because that increases logistical expenses. More matches in ABu dhabi would mean teams would have to move to hotels in Abu Dhabi instead of just going for 1 match and coming back to their original Dubai/Sharjah hotel.

Ah ok that's a good point regarding the hotels. But, last season quite a few matches in Dubai were quite empty and only filled up to a respectable number in the last hour of the game and I am sure Sharjah would have given a better response had their been more games played there.

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Dude WTH. The opening day was jam packed. Let the whole event go through, stop bickering about empty seats all the time. You have been way too influenced by the saffron color.

I think he's talking about the crowd in the Dubai games last season. Ofc opening ceremony will be jam-packed but in the regular games on weekday evenings Dubai was near empty last season. So for the fourth season of one of the world's premier T20 tournaments, it won't look good (and won't be good from a financial POV), therefore, a solution should be found to this problem. I think that with the majority of the tournament thankfully moving to Pakistan, Sharjah should be the main overseas venue with Dubai hosting as few games as possible, preferably on Saturdays or something to attract maximum crowd.

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Dubai Stadium was sold out yesterday. There were tickets being sold at premium outside so stop the empty stadium crap. I was there myself and talking based on personal experience.

Dubai stadium is the most complete stadium in UAE with the best available facilities. Sharjah and Abudhabi dont have the same level of seating arrangements nor the capacity, so it makes sense to utilize the best available stadium in the coutry

Yeah I'm sure that's the main reason (facilities + arrangements) PCB is persisting with Dubai. The "empty stadium crap" is in relation to the attendance at the Dubai matches last season. At the opening ceremony I'm sure many people wanted to attend as well as the first game of PSL hype. However, we can only judge as to whether the Dubai stadiums are full or empty after a few games are played there.

 

[MenInG]

Friday today and look at the stands in the back... Hope this fills up

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

No change in evening also

 

[Savak]

Possible explanations, most Pakistani folks are busy working during these days and find it tiring to go and watch cricket afterwards

Ticket prices could be expensive

Hard to travel to the stadium

Not enough Pakistani population in DXB

Or Pakistani's don't care (Simplest explanation)

 

[arehaan]

Possible explanations, most Pakistani folks are busy working during these days and find it tiring to go and watch cricket afterwards

Ticket prices could be expensive

Hard to travel to the stadium

Not enough Pakistani population in DXB

Or Pakistani's don't care (Simplest explanation)

Tickets are relatively cheaper this year. However you have to understand people in dubai are mainly expats and cannot attend each and every game. Besides we cant match the spending power of Indian community as witnessed during IPL time.

Psl is pakistans brand but needs to go home for it to take off. Opening ceremony was sold out mainly due to Junoon as they had a rocking sold out concert few weeks back and there was a big appetite to have a glimpse of them for people who had missed out. I doubt we will have any other sold out day in dubai this season and today showed that.

 

[Chokli]

the stadiums don't even feel up for pakistani cricket team.

we desperately need to have more and more games of psl in pakistan

 

[The Viper]

Not good at all. Friday is a holiday as well in Dubai which made it worse.

 

[Savak]

Tickets are relatively cheaper this year. However you have to understand people in dubai are mainly expats and cannot attend each and every game. Besides we cant match the spending power of Indian community as witnessed during IPL time.

Psl is pakistans brand but needs to go home for it to take off. Opening ceremony was sold out mainly due to Junoon as they had a rocking sold out concert few weeks back and there was a big appetite to have a glimpse of them for people who had missed out. I doubt we will have any other sold out day in dubai this season and today showed that.

The empty stadiums don't make for good viewing. The PCB argument is that gate receipts are anyways a minor fraction compared to broadcast deals but surely having a jampacked stadium is a must, the ability to attracts neutrals to the stadium is a big plus. If the PCB is insisting on holding the PSL in Dubai then it must facilitate the local Pakistani expatriates by offering them easy transportation to and from the stadium after the games.

The PCB should also be willing to spend a little bit extra to hold matches in arenas which will have jampacked stadiums. Jam packed stadiums are good for morale and selling the league, empty stadiums are not.

 

[Savak]

Not good at all. Friday is a holiday as well in Dubai which made it worse.

Is transportation to the stadium a hassle?

 

[Major]

The empty stadiums don't make for good viewing. The PCB argument is that gate receipts are anyways a minor fraction compared to broadcast deals but surely having a jampacked stadium is a must, the ability to attracts neutrals to the stadium is a big plus. If the PCB is insisting on holding the PSL in Dubai then it must facilitate the local Pakistani expatriates by offering them easy transportation to and from the stadium after the games.

The PCB should also be willing to spend a little bit extra to hold matches in arenas which will have jampacked stadiums. Jam packed stadiums are good for morale and selling the league, empty stadiums are not.

Gate receipts are also a big factor aswell. It depends how you price them.

Having a large crowd also attract tv viewership, as it becomes more enjoyable to watch.

Also, gate receipts depends on upon its price. Because of the low demand PCB has to price them low. Otherwise in other countries sporting event tickets are very costly. They got at the same price as concert tickets.

A PSL ticket should go for atleast 2000 ruppees if it had the right demand.

Whats the lowest price IPL ticket? And Indian international ticket?

 

[Major]

btw i just checked, PSL games are being hosted in SHarjaah, and this time around even Abu DHabi got games aswell

 

[Hasan123]

We need to get the PSL out of UAE. The pitches are awful and the crowds are non existent. Moving it to Pakistan will take the PSL to the next level just simply due to the fact of how passionate the support will be. It will also amp up rivalries.

If the oversees contingent reduces , it's a lot we will have to take. I would rather have elite overseas players than rubbish like DR Smith and Fletcher. That probably won't be possible with the PSL being in Pakistan but we may actually see more younger players than.

At the moment the PSL is full of OAPs and average overseas talent.

 

[reversehook]

when people cant afford or just dont care then its better to do it on sunday league grounds where if someone passes by with their dog, the park would look crowded... its awful really, no matter how you look at it... need psl to be purely in Pakistan... if that means having only 1-2 intl/foreign players per team only, then so be it...

 

[Chokli]

when people cant afford or just dont care then its better to do it on sunday league grounds where if someone passes by with their dog, the park would look crowded... its awful really, no matter how you look at it... need psl to be purely in Pakistan... if that means having only 1-2 intl/foreign players per team only, then so be it...

this

even with 1 or 2 intl. players, if they market it correctly it'll work.

 

[reversehook]

this

even with 1 or 2 intl. players, if they market it correctly it'll work.

call me looney, but my gut feeling says if PSL is held purely in Pakistan with a bit of hype to it, even withouy intl players, it will flourish. No other Pakistani domestic setup has our current squad players in it, and there is no current intl team touring, so ppl back home are cricket hungry. Start it off there, and you will get railu katta's^+ quality players wanting to play...

 

[MenInG]

Saturday and still no improvement - Cmon Dubaiwallas!

 

[MenInG]

And night time...

 

[Sarwar89]

I live in Dubai so are lots of friends of mine, the reason why me or them are not interested in PSL is because: pakistan’s poor performances in asia cup/nzl/south africa. Dubai community of pakistaniz feel this team has not produced the results at international stage.

1) Dubai Stadium is far away from downtown Dubai it is not easily reachable unless you want to drive long.
2) From Parking lot to actual walk towards the stadium is long.
3) with so much hassle on top of it Ticket prices are higher.

I watched Test match between Pak v Aus and Pak v Nzl in stadium free of cost. Atleast for long drive + long stadium walk i was compensated with free entry for match.

4) And lastly Dubai community of pakistaniz are more interested in Competitive international cricket not club cricket composed of retired cricketers.

Today i watched T Perrarra’s magical Test innings with great delight live on tv. Why shall i waste my time watching retired bunch of international cricketers.

 

[Savak]

How to attract the poor labourers. The vast majority of people who come to watch Pakistan matches in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and in Pakistan are often the poor people. I doubt you will get that in Dubai.

 

[xricket]

At least fill the seats with spectators. What a mockery is this.

 

[srh]

PSL matches should be played in Pakistan. This will solve lot of problems.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Savak]

Like I said, Dubai needs to be punished for this.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Markhor]

Dubai isn't easy to get to from what I've heard whereas Sharjah ground is easier to get to.

Abu Dhabi pitches are the worst in UAE - more matches there will make fans comatose.

Sharjah is probably the best limited overs wicket in UAE.

 

[MenInG]

Start of the weekend and still poor...

 

[xricket]

Empty PSL stands: A case of poor strategy by PCB

Hi,

Just watching AB play while there are empty stands in the ground. Not even 100 people i reckon, in the stands.

I propose a solution to help with this: If a entry fee is 10$ per match, on weekend it should remain same, but it should be decreased to 1$ or make it very low on weekdays + during day time, as an incentive to fill up the grounds

1000 spectators for 1$ would earn 1000 revenue
100 (not even that many in ground from the picture) at 10$ would earn same.

At least with 1st you would get some entertainment

 

[MenInG]

Saturday and people should be here

 

[xricket]

I would even go as far as to say that there should be crowd pullers:

1- Cheer leaders, yeah well, they work, I am not debating what's haram or not
2- Cheap tickets or very minor entry fee, well guess what, you are not filling up stands anyway
3- Have some vendors chip in to cater the people sitting on benches

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Pakistan can't do anything to pull crowds at all 3 venues.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

The next PSL will be in Pak anyway if things go well.

It was always going to be tough in the UAE with not that many Pakistanis being there. There are more Indians in Dubai for example.

 

[Babbar]

If an IPL match is played in Dubai or Abu Dhabi in April, there will be more Pakistani fans watching that match at 10x ticket price than a free PSL match. Quality Quality Quality!

 

[Savak]

I have a feeling that ten plus years of non stop playing in the UAE has eroded the crowd attraction bit for Pakistani players. When you are too available and easily accessible, it reduces the attraction from the other side

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

I have a feeling that ten plus years of non stop playing in the UAE has eroded the crowd attraction bit for Pakistani players. When you are too available and easily accessible, it reduces the attraction from the other side

No, Pakistanis are more in blue collar jobs @ UAE who can't come regularly to all matches. It is an unfair expectation to have > 60% attendance.

Also whole concept of league is based on home vs away concept, Lahore vs Karachi getting played in Dubai is neither a home/ away game.

 

[Savak]

No, Pakistanis are more in blue collar jobs @ UAE who can't come regularly to all matches. It is an unfair expectation to have > 60% attendance.

Also whole concept of league is based on home vs away concept, Lahore vs Karachi getting played in Dubai is neither a home/ away game.

True but I think if a Pakistani team started coming to the UAE after like 3-4 years plus, it would create more demand and you might see higher crowds. Non stop Pakistani Cricket in the UAE in the last ten years has diluted the demand and attraction for Pakistani Cricketers in the UAE

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

If an IPL match is played in Dubai or Abu Dhabi in April, there will be more Pakistani fans watching that match at 10x ticket price than a free PSL match. Quality Quality Quality!

1) There are more Indians in UAE
2) Avg income of Indians > Pakistanis in UAE
3) IPL attracts some Pakistanis whereas reverse is not true
4) IPL is more established (into it's 12th edition) so has lot more loyal fan base groups for most clubs

 

[canadianhero]

We have been hearing that since PSL1. Noone wants to travel Pakistan except a few retired international players.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

True but I think if a Pakistani team started coming to the UAE after like 3-4 years plus, it would create more demand and you might see higher crowds. Non stop Pakistani Cricket in the UAE in the last ten years has diluted the demand and attraction for Pakistani Cricketers in the UAE

Agreed. Even if IPL is played every year in UAE I am sure crowds will drop. It was a super hit because it was played only once that too half edition hence demand > supply. Whereas for PSL supply > demand.

For eg. if there were only 20 PSL matches in UAE, each club will get max 3 or 4 games. So an ardent Lahorian will try to watch at least a game or two out of those thereby increasing the chances of good turn out. Where as if there are 10 matches of Lahore, he will go for 1 Friday and then watch rest of the games over his TV/ laptop causing poor turn outs for overall league.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

We have been hearing that since PSL1. Noone wants to travel Pakistan except a few retired international players.

It's been 10 years now. ICC should ask teams to start touring Pak, I do not see any news of bomb blasts in Pak now.

Border terrorism with India is a different issue which will not let Ind vs Pak games to happen but other nations should be fine now, esp Aus who always refuse even when there is Z level security

 

[pkckt]

Sharjah stadium is perfectly located in the industrial area which is mostly filled with south Asians whereas Dubai's stadium is too distant even for Dubai residents.

 

[Zeeraq]

 

[SportsWarrior]

View attachment 88682

are you sure this is on a match day? or it while they were practicing? i see the player below with what looks to be umpire and i am assuming it is a match day.. Really poor attendance.. just move it back to pakistan already.. PSL will never do well UAE

 

[Sami92]

With the legacy and rich cricket history of Sharjah, I really feel the maximum number of UAE matches (both for PSL & PAK) should be staged in Sharjah, followed by Dubai & Abu Dhabi.

 

[Zeeraq]

 

[Zeeraq]

 

[MenInG]

Now at the NSK

 

[Savak]

NSK crowd should have been much better. No Excuse for empty seats in the stadium. As it is people were complaining that the seating capacity at NSK should have been enhanced given Karachi's population vs the rest of the cities in the country

 

[Pakpak]

NSK crowd should have been much better. No Excuse for empty seats in the stadium. As it is people were complaining that the seating capacity at NSK should have been enhanced given Karachi's population vs the rest of the cities in the country

Noone will wait for 4 hours in the queues to see a team they don't support. I wouldn't wait for half a day to see any other team than Lahore. And also today's game had tickets already sold to people who were expecnting to see it in Lahore. They won't come here all the way , what, a 12 hr journey.

 

[saeed5646]

NSK crowd should have been much better. No Excuse for empty seats in the stadium. As it is people were complaining that the seating capacity at NSK should have been enhanced given Karachi's population vs the rest of the cities in the country

23547 crowd atendence was listed on screen .Pretty good for regular match

 

[Rana]

TBF we don't see New Zealand fans or there opposition complaining about some of the short boundaries that are served up for international cricket. This is still franchise cricket.

 

[Savak]

23547 crowd atendence was listed on screen .Pretty good for regular match

NSK Capacity is 35,000, no excuse for the other 11,443 people to not attend

 

[MenInG]

23547 crowd atendence was listed on screen .Pretty good for regular match

Any picture of that?

 

[Chokli]

Noone will wait for 4 hours in the queues to see a team they don't support. I wouldn't wait for half a day to see any other team than Lahore. And also today's game had tickets already sold to people who were expecnting to see it in Lahore. They won't come here all the way , what, a 12 hr journey.

it shouldn't be about the teams it should be support of cricket slowly coming back to pakistan and seeing pakistani players playing at home.

 

[Pakpak]

it shouldn't be about the teams it should be support of cricket slowly coming back to pakistan and seeing pakistani players playing at home.

Yes but noone from Lahore who had bought the tickets for the game in Lahore would then travel a 12 hour journey, wait 4-6 hours in queues. Its stupid and way too much effort.

PSL in Pakistan will fail too unless its spread out over cities.

 

[Chokli]

PSL in Pakistan will fail too unless its spread out over cities.

it hasn't failed while holding majority of it in the UAE, how the heck can it fail if all of it is held in one city in Pakistan?

 

[Pakpak]

it hasn't failed while holding majority of it in the UAE, how the heck can it fail if all of it is held in one city in Pakistan?

By fail I mean crowds. Noone will come to see teams in just one city again and again unless its the home team as people will get bored or won't like the LONG wait they have to go through before each game. Block the city for an entire PSL isn't sustainable either. The entire point of moving it to Pakistan is to get crowds back in instead of playing in empty bowls in UAE. They need to add another city along with Lahore and Karachi next year if they plan to move it here.

 

[Chokli]

By fail I mean crowds. Noone will come to see teams in just one city again and again unless its the home team as people will get bored or won't like the LONG wait they have to go through before each game. Block the city for an entire PSL isn't sustainable either. The entire point of moving it to Pakistan is to get crowds back in instead of playing in empty bowls in UAE. They need to add another city along with Lahore and Karachi next year if they plan to move it here.

yes the plan should be to include more cities as the competition rolls on year after year.

do you have any knowledge on the quality of grounds and their upkeep other than lahore and karachi?

india has so many large stadiums with multiple tiers... is there a ground like that in pakistan?

 

[Pakpak]

yes the plan should be to include more cities as the competition rolls on year after year.

do you have any knowledge on the quality of grounds and their upkeep other than lahore and karachi?

india has so many large stadiums with multiple tiers... is there a ground like that in pakistan?

Sadly I don't. I mean we do have grounds so we have a lot of options but a lot of them need to be upgraded and have good apparatus to go with them i.e. security, access from the hotel to the stadium etc. They equipped Lahore and Karachi's grounds and anything near it with 1000s off CCTVs and command centers to go with them so I imagine they have to do that to a new ground too.

I can't wait till PSL comes back to Pakistan. Enough of UAE!

 

[Abdullah719]

NSK crowd should have been much better. No Excuse for empty seats in the stadium. As it is people were complaining that the seating capacity at NSK should have been enhanced given Karachi's population vs the rest of the cities in the country

Tickets were literally put on sale just a few days ago. The circumstances are unfortunate. Hopefully the crowd will be fuller for the remaining games.

 

[mak36]

Does anyone have an actual answer to the question asked by OP?

 

[Zeeraq]

 

[TeymurBlake]

Sharjah and Abu Dhabi hosting would be much better than Dubai.

 

[sjahmed23]

After 10 years of playing in UAE you would think PCB would know where when and how to attract a crowd...