New Zealand optimistic about series despite Pak cricketers coming under scanner

WELLINGTON - New Zealand Cricket (NZC) remains optimistic that the series against Pakistan starting next week will attract plenty of interest, despite revelations that three more Pakistani players have been placed under match-fixing scrutiny.

“We can’t change what is happening [the spot fixing allegations],” The New Zealand Herald quoted NZC’s commercial manager Peter Dwan, as saying.

“All we can do is go to the market with a product we think is very compelling - a highly entertaining series of T20, then a good test series followed by ODIs of our national team against very good sportsmen who are successful on the pitch,” he added.

At the time of the initial allegations on Pakistan’s tour of England earlier this year, NZC did a survey of “cricket-interested” people asking if the allegations would affect their intention to watch Pakistan.

“About 75-80 per cent said no, they were still going,” Dwan said.

The type of fans attracted to the various international forms varies, ranging from purists with passion and a deep knowledge of the game to what Dwan called “cricket-tolerant event-goers”.

“T20 is a sport entertainment product and the biggest reason for people going is to see dynamic action, and the Pakistan team for the T20 is really strong,” he said

“At the other end, with tests, we may find people who will go ‘I don’t particularly want to watch that team because I’m not sure about their setup and the way they play’,” he added.

The other perspective will be in watching how New Zealand get out of their present rut in their only home series of international level.

“A lot of the public are disappointed with the way the New Zealand team has played over the last few months, but also remember in August they were ranked No 2 in the world [in ODIs],” Dwan said.

“Those guys have to win back a lot of support by performance, but there’s a strong degree of it for them from within New Zealand, no matter who they’re playing,” he added. (ANI)