The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to move the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi due to ongoing construction at Karachi’s National Stadium. The decision, made after consulting stakeholders and reviewing logistics, is aimed at ensuring the stadium is ready for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The PCB had earlier announced that no spectators would be allowed for the second Test, originally scheduled in Karachi from August 30 to September 3. Ticket sales were suspended, with refunds automatically processed for those who had already purchased tickets.
The construction at the National Stadium is part of a major Rs12.80 billion upgrade, which includes work on stadiums in Lahore and Rawalpindi as well. Designs for the upgrades were recently approved by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during a visit to London-based architectural firm BDP Pattern.
The revamped Karachi stadium will feature new VIP boxes, a gallery, media facilities, and possibly new dressing rooms, along with a roof that will be added in the second phase of construction. The scoreboard building and enclosures for Iqbal Qasim and Naseem-ul-Ghani have already been upgraded.
PCB officials explained that construction noise and dust could disrupt the players and officials, prompting the shift to Rawalpindi. Rawalpindi will now host both Test matches, with the first match taking place from August 21 to 25. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Shaheens vs. Bangladesh A series will proceed as scheduled in Islamabad.
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