Physical crowds are evidently irrelevant - it is all down to television dollars. JAMODIs are still huge television business, particularly in the sub-continent. Even if they play their matches in the UAE, Pakistan are still getting revenue from the broadcast rights.

The lack of crowds is sad to see though, and I wonder if the very unfortunate events in Christchurch will serve as the catalyst for Pakistan (using the logic that terrorist attacks can happen anywhere) to push for more countries to start touring there again.