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Free tickets for Pakistan tests

02/11/2005

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have made up to a quarter of the tickets available for the three-test series against England free to supporters.

Attendances at test matches in Pakistan have dropped substantially over the past few years and the PCB has moved to halt the decline.

Therefore, in an attempt to draw back fans, up to a quarter of the tickets for the matches in Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore are to be given aware free of charge.

"In recent years crowds have not been flocking to Test matches, particularly because of the excessive security arrangements," communications manager Ateeq Abdul Rauf told the BBC.

"So we thought if dignitaries can be given free passes why can't we do the same for supporters."

Despite the continued popularity of 50-over cricket in Pakistan, test matches have been played in front of sparse crowds.

Therefore, the free tickets, combined with the excitement around the England team after their Ashes win this summer, are the PCB's ploy to fill grounds for the upcoming series.

To get hold of the free tickets, which are for specially allocated areas of the ground, fans will have to apply up to the day before each test match starts.

The first test begins in Multan on November 12th, with the second starting in Faisalabad on November 20th and the final test in Lahore beginning on November 29th.

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