The National stadium remained empty during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match in Karachi due to the citizens’ boycott.
The population of Karachi is one of the highest in the world with various demographics that at least 30,000 spectators should be able to fit in National Stadium
But these games are empty
As Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine continues despite calls to boycott the tournament due to its partnership with KFC and restrictions on bringing Palestine flags and banners into stadiums, however, the league saw a record-low turnout of spectators at a recent match in Karachi.
The PSL 9 match between Karachi Kings and Islamabad United on Wednesday was the first to be played at the port city’s National Stadium. Nine matches of the 20-over tournament have already been played in Lahore, and five in Multan.
Images of the National Stadium with a sparse crowd circulated on microblogging site ‘X’, leaving many cricket fans disappointed with the low turnout in Karachi. Several netizens attributed the low attendance to calls for a boycott of the PSL in solidarity with Gaza.
As a result of the ongoing boycott campaign due to advertising contracts between PSL and KFC, today’s first match witnessed players playing amidst empty seats.
A large number of Karachi’s fans did not come out of their homes to watch the first match held in the city amidst calls for boycotting PSL.
Why Are People Boycotting PSL?
The recent partnership between the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and KFC has sparked widespread controversy, leading to a nationwide #BoycottPSL movement. Pakistani fans have expressed dissatisfaction, citing KFC’s ties to Israel amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The sponsorship choice has drawn criticism due to KFC’s parent company, Yum! Brands, whose subsidaries are known for providing free meals to Israeli soldiers involved in the relentless attacks on Palestinians in Gaza which has has resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most children and women in less than 5 months, with over 70,215 individuals wounded since the the Israeli attacks started on October 7.
Consequently, KFC faces significant backlash and boycott calls, with many expressing their opposition on social media platforms, challenging the PSL’s sponsorship decision.
The boycott calls further escalated after on February 19, during the fourth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium, security officials stopped Faryal, a spectator, from bringing in a banner with a slogan in favor of Palestine written on it.
Netizens Response
Netizens speculated that the low turnout at Karachi’s first PSL 9 match was a successful response to the boycott calls.
“Empty speaks a volume today…A somber reminder of PCB’s disregard for what truly matters,” a user wrote on ‘X’.
Karachi sets an example ❤️ Their full boycott of PSL speaks louder than words ✌️
Our hearts beat for Al-Quds 🇵🇸
Empty seats speak volumes today.. A somber reminder of PCB’s disregard for what truly matters. 😞
Have 0% interest in PSL. ❌#BoycottPSL #PSL2024 pic.twitter.com/1eCzl8UdBG— Jamshaid 🇵🇸 (@JamshaidMsandhu) February 28, 2024
SO KARACHI HAS BOYCOTTED PSL CAUSE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PALESTINE. SHAME ON PCB FOR ACCEPTING KFC AS SPONSOR. HTTPS://T.CO/U8ELF2SYLX
— USAMA ZAFAR (@USAMA7) FEBRUARY 28, 2024