'Can set up 3D cinema at home': Internet reacts to PCB's hospitality box prices for tri-nation series

As the tri-nation series between Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand approaches, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released exclusive hospitality box packages for the much-awaited matches in the days leading to the Champions Trophy.

According to the details, fans looking for a luxurious and memorable cricket experience at the newly-renovated stadiums in Lahore and Karachi stadiums can now book hospitality boxes with prices varying on the basis of seating arrangement.

Here's a breakdown of the options available in Lahore and Karachi for the series:

Lahore Hospitality Options:

1st ODI – Saturday, February 8

Sub-Activity Box 1-3 (15 Seater Box): PKR 1,000,000
New Pav 20 Seater Box: PKR 800,000
New Pav 24 Seater Box: PKR 1,200,000

2nd ODI – Monday, February 10

Sub-Activity Box 1-3 (15 Seater Box): PKR 800,000
New Pav 20 Seater Box: PKR 600,000
New Pav 24 Seater Box: PKR 1,000,000

Karachi Hospitality Options:

3rd ODI- Wednesday, February 12

East 2-5 New Pav 10 Seater Box: PKR 600,000
East 2-5 New Pav 15 Seater Box: PKR 600,000
New Pavilion 20-Seater Box: PKR 400,000
New Pavilion 24-Seater Box: PKR 800,000

Final-Friday, February 14

East 2-5 New Pav 10 Seater Box: PKR 800,000
East 2-5 New Pav 15 Seater Box: PKR 800,000
New Pavilion 20-Seater Box: PKR 600,000
New Pavilion 24-Seater Box: PKR 1,000,000

The hospitality box packages, however, offer more than just premium seating as they also include exclusive access to VIP areas besides food and beverages served throughout the match for a memorable experience.

While PCB’s announcement has added to the excitement of many, some other fans didn’t seem so sure about the packages offered by the board.

“The PCB's social media team has hired a person from PIA's marketing team,” wrote one confused fan, apparently assuming the packages were a graphic design gaffe.

Another user said you could “set up a 3D cinema at home” for PKR 1.2 million.

“Boxes are not for individuals… corporate takes them and hands out tickets to their premium customers. I don't get what the fuss is about?” wrote a fan while trying to explain the packages to others.

It merits a mention that the PCB has revealed the price of tickets for fans in general as well. Tickets for most matches are available for PKR 350, whereas those for weekend matches (Pakistan vs New Zealand on February 8) and the final match on February 14 are priced at PKR 500.

Following are the details for special tickets offering premium seating:

Lahore - Gaddafi Stadium

VVIP enclosures (Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas 
1st ODI- Saturday's match: PKR 5,000
2nd ODI- Monday's match: PKR 4,000

VVIP enclosures (Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram)
1st ODI- Saturday's match: PKR 3,500
2nd ODI- Monday's match: PKR 2,500

VIP enclosures (Fazal Mahmood and Imran Khan)
1st ODI- Saturday's match: PKR 2,000
2nd ODI- Monday's match: PKR 1,500

Premium enclosures (Rajas and Saeed Anwar)
1st ODI- Saturday's match: PKR 1,500
2nd ODI- Monday's match: PKR 1,000

General enclosures (Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Saeed Ahmed)
1st ODI- Saturday's match: PKR 500
2nd ODI- Monday's match: PKR 350

First-class enclosures (Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Abdul Qadir, Javed Miandad, and Sarfaraz Nawaz)
1st ODI- Saturday's match: PKR 1,500
2nd ODI- Monday's match: PKR 1,000

Karachi - National Bank Stadium

General Enclosures (Asif Iqbal, Nazar Mohammad, Waqar Hasan, and Younis Khan)
3rd ODI- Wednesday's match: PKR 350

Final on Friday: PKR 500

First-Class enclosures (Imran Khan, Intikhab Alam, Wasim Akram, Wasim Bari, and Shahid Afridi)
Wednesday's match: PKR 750
Final on Friday: PKR 1,000

Premium enclosures (Iqbal Qasim, Mohammad Brothers, Naseem ul Ghani)
3rd ODI- Wednesday's match: PKR 1,000
Final on Friday: PKR 1,500

VIP Enclosures (Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, and Javed Miandad)
3rd ODI- Wednesday's match: PKR 1,500
Final on Friday: PKR 2,000

VVIP Enclosures (Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas)
3rd ODI- Wednesday's match: PKR 4,000
Final on Friday: PKR 5,000

Gallery Seats

3rd ODI- Wednesday's match: PKR 5,000
Final on Friday: PKR 6,000