The ongoing first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan has been nothing but a run-fest, with the hosts piling on runs against an inexperienced bowling attack. You can check the Pakistan National Cricket Team vs England National Cricket Team Match Scorecard here. However, despite all the runs, fans are missing in the Multan Cricket Stadium, where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has kept free entry for general enclosures for the first two days, but seats can be seen solely occupied by security personnel. Shan Masood-Abdullah Shafique Pair Registers Second-Highest Partnership at Multan Cricket Stadium in Test Cricket, Achieve Feat During PAK vs ENG 1st Test 2024
The lack of fans in Test cricket is a massive concern for the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is slowly penetrating markets where cricket is the numero uno sport. Unlike, several cricket-playing nations, Pakistan is a single-sport country, where cricketers are treated like celebrities. Kevin Pietersen Slams Multan Cricket Stadium Pitch For PAK vs ENG 1st Test 2024; Terms It 'Bowlers Graveyard'
Empty Stands at Multan Cricket Stadium
More security staff than crowd in Multan #PAKvsENG#Cricketpic.twitter.com/0To7FPWYHV
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 8, 2024
Michael Atherton's On-Air Jibe
🗣️Mike Atherton: "There are probably more security staff at the stadium than people in the crowd."🏟️#Multan#PAKvsENGpic.twitter.com/cKXBdNmlqY
— Hur ALI (@Aliwala72) October 8, 2024
Fan Calls For PCB To Play In Other Venues For More Crowdpull
Look at this international test cricket in multan and look at the empty stadium. As compared to a full house in #faisalabad for local matches @TheRealPCBhttps://t.co/6UphKGWwnr
— VOTE FOR TRUMP (@TheDs_Pk) October 8, 2024
SnoozeFest For Fans In Multan Cricket Stadium
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🔸 Picture of the Day 🖼️
🔸Seats are empty in Multan Stadium💔💔💔💔💔🇵🇰🇵🇰📺✅✅✅#PAKvsENG pic.twitter.com/eQ4P4w0BeC
— Moin Khan (@MoinKha71711786) October 7, 2024
Given the geopolitical situation in Pakistan, security remains a major concern for visiting teams, due to which all international matches have a strict cover by armed personnel. Crowds have been a worry for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), especially in Tests, where Pakistan mostly plays out draws on flat tracks. The decision to host matches in only four venues - Multan, Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi - has been criticised as fans get fatigued with cricket overload.
Talking about the PAK vs ENG 1st Test 2024, Pakistan scored 556 in the first innings, with Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique and Salman Agha scoring centuies. Pakistan national cricket team will look to make the most of this first innings effort as they aim at a good show with ball in hand.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2024 04:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).