PAK rolls out free, super-cheap tickets for SA Tests to tackle poor crowds

In a bold attempt to get fans back into stadiums, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced free and low-priced tickets for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa. Scheduled from October 12-16 in Lahore and October 20-24 in Rawalpindi, the move comes as Test cricket in Pakistan has struggled to fill seats, with near-empty stands becoming an all-too-familiar sight.

During Pakistan's series against England, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the visitors, barely 1,000 spectators showed up for the first Test-even as the team dominated the action on the field. The second and third Tests in Multan and Rawalpindi were no different, highlighting the ongoing struggle to make red-ball cricket a fan magnet.

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Test Cricket Struggles in Pakistan

To lure spectators back, the PCB has made attending the matches incredibly affordable:

Ticket Prices for Pakistan vs South Africa Tests

First Test - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Oct 12-16)

General, First-Class, Premium, VIP (major enclosures): Free

VIP Iqbal & Jinnah End, Gallery: PKR 800-1,000 (~Rs 350-Rs 440)

Platinum Box: PKR 8,000 first four days (~Rs 3,520), PKR 10,000 fifth day (~Rs 4,400)

Second Test - Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Oct 20-24)

General, First-Class, Premium, VIP (major enclosures): Free

PCB Gallery: PKR 800 first four days (~Rs 350), PKR 1,000 fifth day (~Rs 440)

Platinum Box: PKR 8,000 first four days (~Rs 3,520), PKR 10,000 fifth day (~Rs 4,400)

The wider Asian context

Pakistan isn't the only country grappling with empty stands. India has also seen low turnouts for its home Tests. The first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad-India's largest stadium-was a stark reminder, with the absence of stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli cited as a major reason for the drop in fans.

Interestingly, domestic cricket has sometimes managed to steal the spotlight. On October 5, the India A vs Australia A match in Kanpur drew a lively crowd, even though it featured junior players yet to break into the senior team. The contrast highlights that cricket passion is still alive, but fans are becoming choosier about which matches they attend.

Across Asia, this trend underscores a bigger challenge: how to make red-ball cricket appealing in an era dominated by T20 thrills.

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