Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, starting August 21. The series opener is slated to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, whereas Karachi’s National Stadium will stage the second Test match from August 29 onwards.
Earlier this week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the second Test in Karachi would be held behind closed doors due to ongoing renovations at the venue.
“In light of ongoing construction work at the National Bank Stadium as part of preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made the difficult decision to hold the second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, scheduled from August 30 to September 3, without spectators in attendance,” PCB’s statement read.
“We understand the vital role that our enthusiastic supporters play in cricket, providing encouragement and inspiration to our players. However, after thoroughly considering all options, we have concluded that the safest course of action is to hold the match without spectators,” it added.
PCB’s decision to play the second Test without fans has drawn flak from the fans and many former cricketers, including former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kamran argued that the board could’ve staged the match in Faisalabad or Multan instead of Karachi.
“The second Test match will be played in Karachi. So I think you know that there is a renovation going on in Karachi. They are preparing a stadium for the Champions Trophy. So it will be a joke of Pakistan that Test matches are being played in Pakistan without a crowd. And we don’t just have 2-3 stadiums; we also have Faisalabad Stadium. We could have played there too; it is a top-class stadium. So much cricket has happened there,” Kamran said.
“After that, there is a stadium in Multan. And you know that Multan Stadium is very good. And the crowd also comes there. So you know that this is your stadium; you could have put another Test match at one of these two venues. So it would have been good. So I think it will be an international joke of our cricket. These things should not happen,” he further remarked.
