Pakistan will host Bangladesh for two Test matches which are scheduled to start from August 21 where Shan Masood will lead the hosts for the red ball series. Bangladesh have arrived in Pakistan early because of political turmoil in their nation. Pakistan have earlier announced that the second match which was supposed to take place in National Stadium in Karachi will be played without spectators as the venue is under renovation for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
Now the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shifted the venue to Rawalpindi. Both Test matches will be played at the same venue because the match will disturb the renovation work.
“We have been guided by the construction experts on the timelines for the readiness of the venue. They advised that while construction could continue during playing hours, the resulting noise pollution would disturb the cricketers. Additionally, the dust from the construction work could also affect the health and wellbeing of the players, officials, broadcasters, and media.
“Given that construction must continue uninterrupted to ensure the venue is operationally ready for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB, after consulting all stakeholders and reviewing operational and logistical matters, has decided to hold both Tests in Rawalpindi.
“At this stage, we will not like to speculate on the hosting of the second Test in Karachi from 15-19 October and will continue to work closely with the architects and construction experts on the safe and secure hosting of the match, while keeping the England and Wales Cricket Board updated,” PCB press release stated.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have already announced their squad for the upcoming two-match Test series. Pakistan will be going with all pace attack considering the pitch conditions of Rawalpindi. After this Test series, Bangladesh will travel to India for two-match Test series followed by three T20Is scheduled to start from September 19.
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Here are the Bangladesh vs Pakistan Squads
Bangladesh's Test squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 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, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
Star opener Mahmudul Hasan has been ruled out of the World Test Championship due to a groin injury.
Pakistan's Test squad: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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