Following a disappointing turnout during Pakistan’s 2-1 home Test series defeat to England last season, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken decisive action to boost interest for the upcoming series against South Africa. The board aims to ensure better crowd engagement and support as the national side prepares for a challenging two-Test encounter.

The first Test is scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 12, in Lahore, while the second and final match will be held in Rawalpindi starting October 20. Both fixtures are significant, forming part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, which adds additional stakes and pressure for the players and the management.

PCB officials have expressed hope that strategic promotions and outreach efforts will attract larger crowds this time, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the stadiums. The team will look to capitalize on home advantage and start the championship campaign on a strong note.

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PCB’s Decisive Action Ahead of South Africa Test Series:

During Pakistan’s Test series against England last year, the opening match saw only around a thousand spectators, coinciding with a defeat for the home side. In response, the PCB lowered ticket prices for the following games in Rawalpindi and Multan, but the move failed to significantly boost attendance. Empty stands remained a recurring issue throughout the series, highlighting challenges in engaging local fans.

Ahead of the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, the PCB has taken stronger measures to fill stadiums, distributing free and low-cost tickets to attract larger crowds. The initiative aims to create a lively atmosphere for the players and fans alike, addressing past attendance concerns while providing a boost to Pakistan’s home advantage in the ICC World Test Championship fixtures.

Pakistan vs South Africa: Test Match Ticket Rates:

First Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, October 12-16

• Tickets for the Pakistan vs South Africa Tests are free for different categories: General (Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Ahmed), First-Class (A.H. Kardar, Abdul Qadir, Sarfraz Nawaz, Javed Miandad), Premium (Rajas, Saeed Anwar), and VIP (Imran Khan, Fazal Mahmood), ensuring fans across all sections can attend without cost.

• Tickets for VIP sections at the Pakistan vs South Africa Tests are priced as follows: Iqbal End (Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram) seats cost PKR 800 (~₹350), while Jinnah End (Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas) seats range from PKR 800-1,000 (~₹350-₹440), offering premium viewing options for fans.

• Platinum Box tickets for the Pakistan vs South Africa Tests are priced at PKR 8,000 (~₹3,520) for the first four days, increasing to PKR 10,000 (~₹4,400) on the fifth day.

Second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, October 20-24

• Tickets for the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium are free across multiple categories: General (Miran Bakhsh, Sohail Tanvir), First-Class (Shoaib Akhtar, Yasir Arafat), Premium (Azhar Mahmood, Javed Miandad), and VIP (Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar), allowing fans from all sections to attend without any charge.

• PCB Gallery tickets for the Rawalpindi Test are priced at PKR 800 (~₹350) for the first four days, rising to PKR 1,000 (~₹440) on the fifth day for premium seating.

• Platinum Box tickets for the Rawalpindi Test cost PKR 8,000 (~₹3,520) for the first four days, increasing to PKR 10,000 (~₹4,400) on the fifth day for exclusive seating.

Following the Test series, Pakistan will take on South Africa in a limited-overs clash, featuring three T20 internationals and three One-Day Internationals. The matches provide an opportunity for both teams to test their white-ball strategies ahead of upcoming global tournaments.