Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) says a record turnover of fans noted for seven T20I matches between Pakistan and England in Karachi and Lahore.
PCB has shared the number of spectators turned in for all the matches in Karachi and Lahore. Karachi’s National Stadium hosted four, and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium hosted three matches. PCB claims there was 97.35% percent of crowd attendance-highest ever in the history of Pakistan cricket.
At least 63,045 spectators turned up to watch the matches of the Lahore leg which makes 99.4 percent of the attendance in three matches.
The breakdown shared by the PCB tells-5th T20I: 20,969, 6th T20I: 21, 076, 7th T20I: 21,000. Meanwhile, the capacity of the Gaddafi Stadium is 21,000.
Spectators in Karachi remained at 95.3% after 126,550 fans watches the first four matches of the series. A total of 188,595 fans watched the matches in Karachi and Lahore.
Thank you Lahore and Karachi spectators 🙌#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/MWkW6I4dE9
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 3, 2022
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Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja calls the record turnover of fans ‘unexpected’ and ‘overwhelming’. He said he thought the interest of cricket fans will dip with the seven T20I matches; it was remarkable and historic how fans cheered both the teams in Karachi and Lahore. Adding that, it is surprising how fans turned in both cities breaking the perception that people living in big cities are not receptive to such events. Raja added that attendance was not just high on weekends but weekdays as well, which confirms the interest and passion for cricket in the nation.
He also defended the team players and management. Raja said that the team is playing with the best available players. PCB Chairman said they are putting pressure on players as much as possible; he is confident this team will win the world cup for Pakistan.
The Pakistan team is currently in New Zealand for a tri-nation series with Bangladesh and New Zealand ahead of the T20 World Cup beginning later this month.