Even though the ICC Champions Trophy is still going on, there has been a big decline in the interest in the tournament among the fans in the host nation Pakistan. The primary reasons being the poor show from the Pakistan cricket team, who failed to register a single win and the beginning of the country’s biggest festival Ramadan as well. The scene was visible on Saturday when England played South Africa at the National Stadium, but only a few thousand spectators showed up. Now, if India wins the semifinals, which will happen in Dubai, the finals will be shifted to Dubai as well, leaving Pakistan with only one match left in the country.
Pakistan’s security is relieved after hosts early exit
With the tournament winding down for Pakistan, now the security personnel felt relieved. “It has been a hard and tense last two weeks for us so we are hugely relieved now. It was also relatively peaceful in the England match,” said SSP Imran Jamil, who was stationed at the stadium.
About 7,000 police, paramilitary, and military personnel were on duty in Karachi for the Champions Trophy, which began on February 19. These efforts started early, thinking the three-nation tournament involving Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa. Jamil noted, “Now the security personnel can get back to normal duties in Ramadan.”
Controvery in Champions Trophy and ticket refunds
As reported by PTI, two fans, Fariha and Faiza, sisters who attended the match with friends, expressed their loss of interest without Pakistan in the tournament. “We came today because we had already purchased tickets for the match,” Faiza said. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced full refunds for washed-out matches in Rawalpindi, except for premium hospitality ticket holders.
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Ramadan’s impact on attendance
Cricket analyst Mahmood Riaz said the home team’s performance was disappointing. “We were hosting a big ICC event after so many years, and people were excited but the team really let everyone down,” he said. With Ramadan starting, fan turnout is uncertain. Tauseef Siddiqui, a regular at matches, shared his disappointment. The PCB plans to provide free Iftar boxes during the semi-final at Gaddafi Stadium, hoping to draw crowds. “It would be a bummer if there are no sizeable crowds for the semi-final. Not a good advertisement for Pakistan cricket,” a PCB official commented.
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