PAK vs NZ: PCB waives entry fees for 2nd Test

Following a dramatic conclusion to the first Test match of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has waived ticket prices for the second Test. The spectators will not have to pay entry fees to watch the series decider at the National Bank Cricket Arena, commencing on January 2.

The decision comes after the series opener between the two sides did not attract a sizeable crowd, with plenty of empty seats on display throughout the five-day affair. A sedated approach from both sides during the opening four days did not help their cause either, as the match only burst into life on the final day of the series opener.

"The spectators are only required to bring either their original CNIC or B-form to enter the stadium and they will be able to watch the action free of cost from any of the premium (Imran Khan, Quaid, Wasim Akram and Zaheer Abbas), first class (Asif Iqbal, Waqar Hassan and Majid Khan) and general enclosures (Muhammad Brothers and Intikhab Alam)," PCB said in an official press release.

Pakistan's torrid run in Tests continued in the series opener against the Kiwis

While the Pakistani white-ball side has tasted reasonable success this year, their Test team failed to win a single red-ball game at home, suffering consecutive series defeats against Australia and England. The series defeat to England turned into humiliation after the visitors completed a stunning whitewash to become the first team to clean-sweep the hosts in a Test series in Pakistan.

Another series defeat looms large for the hosts, who have looked toothless in the fast-bowling department. They could have been 1-0 down heading into the series finale, only for bad light to intervene and save their blushes on the fifth day of the opening Test. The second Test match will be played from 2-6 January at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.