Pakistan to play Karachi Test against Bangladesh without crowd ahead of Champions Trophy | Read Why
Pak Test skipper Shan Masood (R) (Source: ICC)
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended the sale of tickets for home Test against Bangladesh in Karachi. The National Stadium in the city is going under renovation and upgradation for the Champions Trophy in February-March next year,the PCB informed in a statement.
"The health and safety of our fans is our utmost priority," read the statement issued by the PCB.
"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."
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"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," it further added.
Bangladesh are in Pakistan for two-Test series with the first Test scheduled to be played from August 21 in Rawalpindi.
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As reported by the cricket news website ESPNCricinfo, the decision to host the Test without spectators instead of moving it to another venue would have incurred losses for the PCB.
Pakistan are expected to play seven home Tests in the coming month and are looking to equally share the hosting between three venues: Rawalpindi, Karachi and Multan.
Multan would have been a viable option to shift the second Test against Bangladesh but it is already slated to host the first Test against England in October.
The Karachi Test against England, scheduled to be played from October 15, is so far expected to have spectators present.
As for Bangladesh, they are touring Pakistan for the first time since 2020, when Covid-19 pandemic cut short their trip. Bangladesh itself are going through a turmoil at home.
They landed in Lahore four days ago where they would train at Gaddafi Stadium before going to Rawalpindi for the first Test.
