Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has vehemently criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the decision to play the second Test against Bangladesh behind closed doors at Karachi's National Stadium. The venue is undergoing significant renovations in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy, prompting the PCB's decision. Notably, the two-match Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is slated to start from August 21.
Kamran Akmal criticizes PCB decision
"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," the PCB said.
"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," PCB added.
Kamran Akmal Suggests Alternative Venues
Kamran Akmal expressed his disappointment with the PCB's decision, suggesting that the matches could have been hosted in Faisalabad or Multan instead. He further emphasised that playing the Test behind closed doors would tarnish the country's international image.
"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 in a video uploaded from his YouTube channel, as quoted by News18.
"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," Akmal concluded.
Pakistan's Test squad:
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Bangladesh's Test squad:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
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