New Delhi: Pakistan’s swift exit from the Champions Trophy would not only reduce its cricket team’s brand value to an all-time low but the hosts would now also struggle to fill up the stands in the remainder of the tournament.
Pakistan Cricket Board has pulled all the stops to organise the first major global cricketing event in the country since 1996 in three venues of Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
But they crashed out the tournament after demoralising defeats, first to New Zealand on opening day of February 19 and then to traditional rivals India last Sunday.
New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh on Monday knocked them out of the competition as all-round criticism began over their shoddy displays.
A day before their surrender to India, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials were glad to see a big turnout for the Australia-England match in Lahore at the Gaddafi Stadium.
“It was an uplifting experience to see people respond and enjoy a match not involving Pakistan,” a PCB official was quoted as saying by PTI.
But after Pakistan’s chastening loss to India the official accepted that it would be a struggle to bring disappointed cricket lovers to the ground.
“But now, the challenge is to ensure the crowds keep on coming for the remaining matches in Pakistan, because we are hosting such a big event after 29 years,” he said.
Millions spent on infra
Pakistan is hosting an ICC event in 29 years and there were expectations of the home team performing well in the eight-team tournament.
But now an official of PCB’s commercial wing said the board are set to receive less money from gate receipts and other avenues of ground income but insisted it would not be a big loss as the ICC has gurannteed a certain amount irrespective of the home team’s performance.
But the official accepted that the national team’s brand value could be on a free fall.
“We are guaranteed hosting fees, our share of ICC revenues including ticket sales, but there are other issues like people losing interest in the mega event, broadcasters showing half filled stadiums etc. And the biggest worry is despite the craze for cricket here, it may not be easy to sell Pakistan cricket as a brand in future,” he said.
Under chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also the federal interior minister, PCB spent millions to refurbish stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi but he has received criticism for his selection of selectors and captain.
“His focus appeared to be on just the upgrade of the stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi whereas he forgot that the most important thing was to have a team that could make it to the final in the Champions Trophy because fans relate to performances,” the source said.
Pakistan has pulled all the stops to organise the first major global cricketing event in the country since 1996 but they crashed out of the Champions Trophy after defeats to New Zealand and India. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
