Champion Trophy 2025: Fans express frustration because of the empty booths in Karachi for the Pack of NZ Opening of the Game
IN ICC Champions Trophy 2025 finally started Pakistan On February 19, celebrating the return of the country as a host for the ICC event after almost three decades. The tournament opened with a conflict between the hosts of Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. However, despite the historical significance of occasions, the turnout of the crowd at the site was noticeably low, which caused distributed discussions and disappointments on social media.
Return Pakistan as the host of the ICC event after 29 years
Pakistan hosted the ICC event in 1996, when they were one of the ODI World Cup coins. They were initially supposed to host the 2009 champion trophy, but after a tragic terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore that year, the tournament was moved to South Africa. For years, Pakistan has been forced to play his home games at UAE for security problems, and top international teams are reluctant to visit the country.
In recent years, Pakistan gradually returned his host status, and the bilateral series took place against teams like Australia, England and New Zealand. The 2025 champion trophy was expected to be a significant moment, officially marking the full return of Pakistan to the International Circle of Hosting. However, the insidious presence at the National Stadium of Karachius caused concern about the receipt of the tournament.
Low crowd turnout causes criticism
On the eve of the champion trophy, the excitement was high, and fans were eagerly awaiting the return of the global cricket tournament in Pakistan. However, the turnout for the introductory match did not meet the expectations. The large parts of the stands remained empty, creating an unusual atmosphere for the high tournament opener. The lack of viewers was visible even during throwing, where Mohammad RizwanLeading Pakistan, she won the throw and chose on the field first against New Zealand.
Cricket lovers and analysts took social media to express disappointment due to a lack of full house. Many questioned why the introductory match of the tournament, with the host of the nation, was not a witness of a full stadium. Some blamed the prices of tickets, while others indicated logistical issues such as traffic congestion and workday schedule. Concerns were also expressed in marketing and event promotion, and some fans claim that PCB should have done more to ensure more turnout.
Also read: Pak vs nz, champions Trophy 2025: Here’s why Rachin Ravandra doesn’t play today’s game
Early Drama on the ground while Pakistan suffers an injury to intimidation
Despite the muffled atmosphere, the action on the field began with an early drama. Pakistan has suffered immediate failure in another ball of match when Fakhar Zaman He seems to have injured himself while chasing the border. The scope of his injury remains unclear, but it was a worrying moment for the team, which is already concerned with worries. On the other hand, New Zealand, led Tom Lathamentered the match without their young comprehensive Rachin Ravidrawho remained from playing XI. In the meantime, Pakistan organized a team full of power, with Haris Rauf considered appropriate to play after recovery from a minor injury.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
This is just the introductory match of the champion trophy, but the stadium is just half full. Pathetic audience pic.twitter.com/xdufkli39g
– Vipin Tiwari (@VipintiWari952) 19 February 2025
#Championstrophy#Pathvsnz
More than half of the stadium is empty in Karachi and when he plays Home Team.🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/jzmgglguwh– काजू कस voja / શનિ 🇮🇳 🇮🇳 (@kaju_boy8890) 19 February 2025
It is a little sad to see the empty racks in Karachi at the beginning of the tournament.
I know that there are some problems with ticket distribution, but it’s kind of hard to believe that people are not interested in watching the first ICC tournament in Pakistan after 1996 #Championstrophy
– Gaurav Nandan Tripathi | गौरव नंदन त υghdnja (@cric_beyond_ent) 19 February 2025
Why is the stadium empty ??? @sawrabasha #Championstrophy #Pathvsnz #Championstrophy #Championstrophy2025
– Mudit 🇮🇳 (@mudithastir) 19 February 2025
Host team that plays an introductory game and the stadium looks empty and it is #Patnz #Championstrophy It’s just not hyper. Does not feel like a multinating tournament
– Annurag P Rekhi (@Dradidict) 19 February 2025
The stadium is completely empty in Pakistan. Have no money for wheat flour how poor people will come and watch the match 😂#Pakistancricket #Championstrophy pic.twitter.com/ivatbel12p
– Rushabh Patwa (@rushabhpatwa304) 19 February 2025
The first game @Icc The champion trophy and the soil are quite empty !! Farcical!! #Championstrophy
– Mike O’Hara (@Mikeyohara85) 19 February 2025
1. Match in Trophyju Champions 2025 !!!!
The whole stadium is empty !!! Such a shame for the tournament. ICC should ban Pakistan. Karhi people do not support the cricket in their country useless. #Iccchampionstrophy2025 #pathvsnz #pcb #Babarasm #Fakharzaman #transfer…
– Aditya Joshi (@Adityajoshi4) 19 February 2025
The stadium is still not filled even though Paki is a match in Karachi !!!!#Championstrophy
– Avadhoot (@iavigokhale) 19 February 2025
An almost empty national stadium in Karachi for the Pakistan conflict against New Zealand. It’s the introductory match of The Champions Trophy 2025, but with the match just starting, the crowd could soon be upgraded! 🏟️🇵🇰🏏 #Championstrophy #Patnz pic.twitter.com/dkwdp5ogow
– Mursaleen Wafai (@mursaleenwafai) 19 February 2025
Also read: Champion Trophy 2025: Main Coaching Staff for each team participating
