Pakistan Trolled Over Empty Stand in Multan Test Against England Despite Free Entry. Pakistan and England faced off in the historic city of Multan for the first Test of the series, yet the match was met with an almost deserted stadium. It was a disheartening sight for organizers and fans alike, particularly given the rarity of international cricket matches being held in Pakistan in recent years.
Despite the expectation that fans would seize the opportunity to witness live cricket, the turnout in Multan was meager, prompting widespread trolling on social media platforms.
Cricket in Pakistan has struggled to attract significant crowds since the country began hosting international matches again, and the Multan Test was no exception. Even though entry to the stadium was free, fans appeared uninterested or perhaps unable to attend, leaving the stands virtually empty.
The situation raises questions about the local support for cricket in Pakistan, where the sport is often considered a national passion. However, a closer look reveals deeper issues surrounding fan engagement, infrastructure, and access to live events.
Disappointing Turnout Despite Free Entry
Organizers had hoped for a larger crowd, considering the limited number of international matches that Pakistan hosts each year. The sight of empty stands was unexpected, especially since entry to the Multan Test was made free to encourage more fans to come and support the team.
The lack of spectators in the opening hours of the game led to considerable trolling online, with many users mocking the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for failing to attract fans despite the generous offer.
Netizens quickly noticed the empty stands, and criticism began flooding in on social media. Comments about the poor attendance, coupled with images of the sparsely populated stadium, sparked discussions about the state of cricket in Pakistan and whether the sport still held the same level of excitement for the local populace.
The trolling highlighted how expectations of packed stands contrasted starkly with reality, as fans questioned the PCB’s efforts to promote the match.
While more spectators trickled in as the day progressed, the numbers still fell far short of expectations, and the atmosphere inside the stadium remained lackluster. The vacant stands became a focal point of online ridicule, with some even suggesting that cricket in Pakistan had lost its charm. However, there are broader issues at play, which may explain the low turnout.
Multan’s Stadium and Its Challenges
The Multan Cricket Stadium, where the Test match was held, is one of Pakistan’s more prominent cricket venues, known for its vibrant atmosphere during the limited number of matches hosted there. Located in the southern part of Punjab province, Multan is a historic city with a deep-rooted love for cricket.
The stadium itself boasts modern facilities and a seating capacity of around 30,000 spectators. However, the stadium’s location, fan accessibility, and infrastructure limitations may have contributed to the poor turnout.
Multan has long been regarded as a city with passionate cricket supporters, but the stadium is situated far from the city center, making it difficult for many fans to reach the venue.
Public transportation options to the stadium are limited, and fans without access to private vehicles may find it challenging to attend matches. In addition, scorching temperatures in Multan, especially during the day, may have discouraged some fans from attending a five-day Test match in person.
Another factor that could have affected attendance is the growing preference for shorter formats of the game, such as Twenty20 (T20) cricket. In recent years, T20 leagues and matches have gained immense popularity, offering fast-paced, high-energy entertainment.
Nitin Gadkari to consult Pakistani pitch curators to make better highways in India.He is highly impressed with the quality of Multan pitch.pic.twitter.com/NUnWC39Yiu
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) October 7, 2024
Test cricket, while considered the purest form of the game, may not have the same appeal to younger fans who prefer the excitement of limited-overs matches. As a result, the low turnout at the Multan Test may reflect a broader trend in the sport, where traditional formats are losing ground to shorter, more dynamic versions of the game.
On-field Performances and Pitch Criticisms
While the lack of spectators dominated discussions off the field, the cricket being played inside the stadium also drew attention. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, and the flat pitch immediately came under scrutiny. The Multan surface, often known for being batting-friendly, lived up to its reputation, with Pakistan’s batsmen dominating the early stages of the match.
Captain Shan Masood was the star of the day, reaching his maiden Test hundred on home soil. Masood’s innings was a significant moment for both him and Pakistan cricket, as he had endured a long wait to score a Test century in front of home fans.
His 133 not out by tea on Day 1 was not only a personal triumph but also the fastest century by a Pakistani batsman since 2014. Masood reached his hundred in just 102 balls, marking his return to form in the most spectacular fashion.
Masood was ably supported by his opening partner, Abdullah Shafique, who was just six runs away from his fifth Test hundred at tea. The pair put on a dominant display, punishing England’s bowlers and taking full advantage of the conditions.
However, former England cricketers Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan were quick to criticize the flat nature of the Multan pitch, suggesting that it did not provide a fair contest between bat and ball. Vaughan, in particular, pointed out that such pitches make it difficult for bowlers to make an impact, turning the match into a one-sided affair.
The pitch debate further fueled the disappointment surrounding the match. While Pakistan’s batsmen were putting up impressive numbers, the lack of competitiveness from England’s bowlers combined with the empty stands made for a subdued atmosphere.
Fans watching from home and those present at the stadium were left wondering whether the conditions were conducive to exciting Test cricket or if the match would become a drawn-out affair with little drama.
The Struggles of Test Cricket in Pakistan
The empty stands in Multan are part of a broader issue that Test cricket faces in Pakistan and beyond. Over the years, Test cricket has struggled to maintain the same level of fan engagement as the shorter formats of the game. In Pakistan, where international cricket was absent for nearly a decade due to security concerns, the return of Test cricket has been slow to reignite the passion of the fanbase.
While Pakistan’s cricketing authorities have worked hard to bring international cricket back to home soil, they face significant challenges in restoring Test cricket to its former glory.
The preference for limited-overs cricket, combined with factors such as extreme weather, infrastructure issues, and accessibility problems, has made it difficult to fill stadiums for longer formats of the game.
Additionally, Pakistan’s cricket calendar has been sporadic, with few international Test matches held throughout the year. This inconsistency may have contributed to a lack of sustained interest among fans, who may not have had enough opportunities to connect with the national team through regular, high-profile Test series.
Efforts to boost fan engagement, such as offering free entry to matches, have not yielded the desired results. The empty stands in Multan are a stark reminder that more needs to be done to promote Test cricket in the country. The PCB may need to rethink its strategies, focusing on improving the matchday experience for fans, enhancing accessibility to venues, and creating more opportunities for fans to engage with the national team.
The empty stands at the Multan Test between Pakistan and England have sparked widespread criticism and trolling, highlighting the challenges faced by Test cricket in the modern era. Despite free entry, fans were not drawn to the stadium in large numbers, leaving organizers and cricketing authorities disappointed.
While the on-field performances of Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique provided some entertainment, the lack of crowd support and the controversy over the flat pitch marred the occasion.
As Pakistan continues to rebuild its international cricket calendar, addressing issues of fan engagement, accessibility, and infrastructure will be crucial. The Multan Test serves as a wake-up call for the PCB and cricket administrators to explore new ways to bring fans back to the stands and revive the excitement around Test cricket in Pakistan.
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