Once once more, the spectators selected to avoid one of the vital legendary rivalries in cricket, regardless of it being a weekend. This mirrored the scenario through the Indo-Pak league match at Pallekele.The organisers had anticipated a robust turnout, on condition that Colombo has a big inhabitants of each Indians and Pakistanis.In truth, in 2012, throughout a World T20 match between the identical groups, thePremadasa Stadium was packed to the brim.
This has been the case in varied cricketing venues worldwide, together with Mirpur, Melbourne, Adelaide, Dubai, Birmingham, London, and Manchester, all through the higher a part of the final decade.
The native directors understandably felt disenchanted, although they didn’t have any monetary stake within the match, because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was the official host.
“With the rain staying away, we were expecting a good turnout. But tickets are still available offline and online. In fact, the ticket rate too has been slashed but we are yet to see a big rush. Hopefully, it will pick up,” stated an SLC official.
Sri Lanka Cricket has additionally tweeted concerning the worth discount of tickets for all of the Super 4 matches, together with the one between India and Pakistan.
The worth of C and D Upper Block tickets on the Premadasa Stadium has been slashed to LKR 1000 whereas the speed for C and D Lower Block tickets is now fastened at LKR 500.
However, the value discount is relevant solely to the Super 4 matches as the costs shall be restored for the ultimate scheduled on September 17.
So, what may have been the rationale behind the gang staying away from this much-anticipated match?
“Perhaps, it was because of the rain prediction that people don’t want to take a chance, or may be the local interest is not there,” the SLC official stated.
However, the Super 4 match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Saturday too noticed a number of empty areas within the stands.
But a PCB official stated the choice of the venue itself was removed from excellent.
“It is tough to organise cricket matches in Sri Lanka at this time of the year as it rains there more often than not. But then, a decision has been made and now we have to go ahead,” the official advised PTI on situations of anonymity.
He stated the hypothesis over a attainable venue shift additionally may need affected the sale of tickets.
“Then there were all those talks about shifting the venue (from Colombo to Hambantota) of Super 4 matches and the final. Obviously, people will be apprehensive to come forward and buy tickets,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com