The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh, scheduled from August 30 to September 3 in Karachi, will be played without spectators due to ongoing construction work at the National Stadium, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday.
The decision is part of a broader renovation plan by the PCB as it upgrades its venues in preparation for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to be held in Pakistan.Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is also undergoing significant upgrades, making it unavailable as a venue until February 2025, ahead of Pakistan’s first ICC tournament since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.
Despite the construction, the PCB opted to keep the Karachi Test on schedule as part of its strategy to distribute seven home Tests, ODIs, and domestic matches across Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi.Moving the match to another venue, such as Multan, which is set to host Pakistan’s first Test against England from October 7, was considered unfeasible due to financial commitments already made for accommodations, flights, and security.
This Test series is not expected to generate substantial revenue, making the decision to remain in Karachi even more critical.The PCB has also confirmed that there are no changes to the England Test scheduled in Karachi from October 15, where spectators are expected to attend.
Calling it a “difficult decision,” the PCB has immediately suspended ticket sales for the second Test against Bangladesh. The board had only recently advertised ticket sales for the match.”The health and safety of our fans is our utmost priority,” the PCB stated. “After careful consideration of all available options, we have decided that the safest course of action is to hold the second Test in front of an empty stadium. While we deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause, we want to assure our valued fans that the ongoing stadium upgrades are aimed at enhancing their experience.”
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh squad arrived in Lahore four days earlier than planned to begin training at Gaddafi Stadium before traveling to Rawalpindi for the first Test, starting on August 21.The early arrival was made possible after the PCB extended an invitation to ensure Bangladesh players had “adequate and fair training opportunities” ahead of the series.
The team’s preparations had been disrupted due to ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh.Bangladesh’s last bilateral tour of Pakistan took place in 2020 but was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has assured fast bowler Hasan Ali of full support in his recovery from a recent elbow injury.According to media reports, the PCB reached out to Hasan Ali, confirming that his treatment will be fully covered by the board.
The fast bowler has been informed that he will undergo surgery for his injured elbow in England, likely in August.Hasan Ali is expected to depart for England on either August 25 or 26 at the PCB’s expense. The injury occurred during his participation in the county cricket season, sidelining the fast bowler from the sport for an estimated three to four months following the surgery.
The PCB anticipates Hasan Ali’s return to cricket by December, although he will need to complete a rehabilitation program before resuming full training.Hasan Ali has in July voiced his concerns over the proposed “surgery” in the team set up by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Hasan expressed uncertainty over the chairman’s comments about surgery and questioned whether all 11 players would be replaced, emphasizing the impracticality of such a drastic measure due to the team’s lack of sufficient backups.
“I don’t know in what context the chairman has mentioned surgery. Will they change all 11 players but that is not possible. I am really sorry to say because we don’t have such backups that we can change all 11 players.
“I don’t know what surgery will be, but things should be absolutely correctly done and should be for the betterment of cricket. The chairman should take strong steps and make firm decisions,” Hasan said.The pacer stressed the importance of ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of Pakistani cricket, advocating for strong leadership and firm decisions from the chairman.
