Karachi, Aug 14 : After witnessing a lacklustre response during the recently held Asia Cup, the PCB has reportedly decided to slash prices of tickets for Champions Trophy by up to 30-40 percent. Though, the tournament has run into rough weather after Australia last evening closed its consulates in Lahore and Karachi citing fresh terrorist threats to blow up embassies and hotels.

The tickets for Champions Trophy matches would be slashed by up 30-40 percent as compared to the Asia Cup, The News quoted PCB Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi as saying.

He said that for the Champions Trophy, the tickets would be more affordable. "We want to ensure that all Champions Trophy matches attract sizeable crowds and would take all possible measures for it. We will consult with the ICC and try lowering the ticket prices," he said.

During the Asia Cup, tickets prices were raised substantially and a seat for the Pakistan-India match in a decent enclosure came for the price of around Rs 3000, added the paper.

None of the Asia Cup matches was played in front of a packed crowd in Karachi and Lahore and even important games like Pakistan's clashes against India and Sri Lanka failed to draw the crowd. According to experts, one of the reasons behind the surprisingly low interest in those games was the high cost of tickets.

The PCB and the ICC - the event's organisers - face a big challenge because the entire eight-nation tournament would be played during the fasting month of Ramadan. Normally, international cricket is not played during that part of the year in Pakistan and it remains to be seen whether spectators would fill in 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 15 million rupees, added the paper.

ANI