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Regardless of the return of a marquee ICC occasion to Pakistani soil, the bottom lacked a sold-out crowd as over half the stadium remained unoccupied as the house aspect took on the Kiwis. Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan got here up with a tongue-in-cheek response to the…Learn Extra
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan vs New Zealand. (X)
Pakistan hosted their first ICC occasion in almost three a long time because the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off on the Nationwide Financial institution Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday because the hosts squared up towards New Zealand within the curtain raiser of the occasion.
Regardless of the return of the marquee ICC occasion to Pakistani soil, the bottom lacked a sold-out crowd as over half the stadium remained unoccupied as the house aspect took on the Kiwis. Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan got here up with a tongue-in-cheek response to the state of affairs as he shared an replace that learn, “Nice to see the champions trophy being performed in Pakistan .. First main occasion since 1996 .. Have they forgotten to inform the locals it’s on .. The place is the gang ??”
Nice to see the champions trophy being performed in Pakistan .. First main occasion since 1996 .. Have they forgotten to inform the locals it’s on .. The place is the gang ?? #ChampionsTrophy2025— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 19, 2025
One consumer mentioned, “First main ICC event in years, newly refurbished stadiums, Residence aspect Pakistan enjoying, nonetheless stands empty. Exhibits the state of Pakistan’s economic system. When the tickets have been free in the course of the inauguration of the Lahore stadium, it was totally full. Unhappy”
First main ICC event in years, newly refurbished stadiums, Residence aspect Pakistan enjoying, nonetheless stands empty.Exhibits the state of Pakistan’s economic system. When the tickets have been free in the course of the inauguration of the Lahore stadium, it was totally full. Unhappy pic.twitter.com/7qiJo2J0Q0
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) February 19, 2025
Whereas one other mentioned, “Match 1 Pakistan vs new-Zealand in Pakistan and the stadium is half empty? I don’t get it #ChampionsTrophy2025″
One follower posted, “Half the stadium is empty lmao and they’re the hosts”
Half the stadium is empty lmao and they’re the hosts— + (@Xaanx_) February 19, 2025
One other fan mentioned, “Greater than half of the stadium is empty in Karachi that too when dwelling group is enjoying.”
One other consumer shared, WPL pulling extra crowd than this empty stadium for inaugural match. It’s dumbest choice by @ICC to provide Pakistan internet hosting alternative “
Pakistan received the coin toss and opted to place New Zealand to bat first.