(Source X)
Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for deciding to host the second Test against Bangladesh behind closed doors. He argued that holding the game without fans would make Pakistan cricket appear like a “joke.”
The Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to begin on August 21, with the first match taking place in Rawalpindi and the second in Karachi from August 30. Both matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship.
The PCB recently announced that the second Test will be played without spectators due to ongoing construction at Karachi’s National Stadium. This decision is aimed at ensuring the venue is fully prepared for the ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan in February-March 2025.
In his video on YouTube, Kamran Akmal expressed his discontent with the PCB’s decision, suggesting that it would be better to have moved the match to another venue like Faisalabad or Multan instead of playing in an empty stadium.
“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.
“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 on 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. So let’s see why this venue has been decided,” Kamran Akmal said.
Pakistan will become a joke internationally – Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal emphasized that cricket in Pakistan is already struggling, and such decisions by the PCB risk making it a laughingstock. He urged the chairman to take decisive action, particularly given the declining state of Test cricket.
“We already know that this stadium will be broken. A new one will be made. So why didn’t they put all these things in front and make a decision? You will see how much our cricket brand has gone down internationally,” Kamran Akmal said.
“It is discussed so lightly and as a joke. If you make such a decision, then the cricket of Pakistan will become a joke internationally. We have to get away from these things. And that will happen only when there is professional work. Keeping everything in front. I feel that when the venue Karachi was selected as venue with closed eyes at that time.
“Whoever decided this. I think the chairman should ask. Those who have kept this venue. Okay, there is a ground. But if there is no crowd, what will be the interest? Test cricket has gone so far. No one likes to see it in Pakistan. So let’s see what happens in the coming time,” Kamran Akmal concluded.
