AUSTRALIA (Kashmir English): The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will again host a special stand for Pakistani supporters during the next Big Bash League (BBL) season, following a practice that has added colour and vibrancy to the tournament.
The stand, properly known as the “House of Rauf,” will be a focal point at Melbourne Stars home games, intended to bring Pakistani and South Asian cricket spectators in to support the team. The move follows last season’s Pakistan Stand, which was popular with the community.
Melbourne Stars general manager Max Abbott said the rationale behind the decision:
“We want to make sure our Pakistani fans feel at home. The ‘House of Rauf’ is about giving them a space to celebrate, enjoy the matches, and showcase their culture. With Haris Rauf as one of our biggest ambassadors, we’re excited to welcome the passion and energy of Pakistan’s cricket-loving crowd.”
Haris Rauf, a crowd favourite at the Stars, remains a key to the franchise’s attempts to tap the Pakistani diaspora across Australia.
Abbott added that the number of Pakistani fans has long added to the MCG vibe, and the environment is always special whenever South Asian players come out on the ground.
The initiative is also in accordance with Cricket Australia’s Multicultural Action Plan, which seeks to deepen relationships with multicultural communities and acknowledge the important contribution they can make to the sporting environment in Australia.
For Pakistani supporters in Melbourne, the exclusive stand at the MCG guarantees not just an opportunity to cheer on their cricketing idols but also a way of embracing their identity in one of the world’s most revered stadiums.
The new season of BBL will not only see some of the largest stars from Pakistan, but also ardent, die‑hard cricket lovers among the spectators.
