Pakistan likely to slash ticket prices

	The Asia Cup was played in front of near-empty stands and the PCB doesn't want a repeat of that © AFP

Pakistan are planning to slash the prices of tickets for next month's Champions Trophy after experiencing near empty stands for the Asia Cup games earlier this summer when the ticket rates were very high.

A seat for the Pakistan-India match in a decent enclosure in Karachi's National Stadium was reportedly priced around Rs 3000. Shafqat Naghmi, Pakistan Cricket Board's chief operating officer, said on Wednesday that the tickets would cost almost 30-40 % less than those in the Asia Cup.

"We want to ensure that all Champions Trophy matches attract sizeable crowds and will take all possible measures for it," Naghmi told the News. "We will consult the ICC and try lowering the ticket prices."

However, the PCB and the ICC now face a big challenge because the eight-nation tournament will be played during the fasting month of Ramadan. Normally, Pakistan doesn't host international series during this period and it remains to be seen whether spectators will fill up the stadiums during the tournament.

To facilitate the spectators, it has been decided to time the matches in such a way that the innings break comes at Iftar time when one breaks his fast (at dusk). Efforts are also being made to provide for free Iftar meals for spectators but implementing such an idea would cost the PCB around Rs 15 million.