Summary:
- PCB suspends ticket sales for Karachi Test due to ongoing stadium upgrades.
- The upgrades are part of preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
- Bangladesh team arrives early in Lahore for training amid political unrest at home.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended ticket sales for the upcoming Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Karachi, citing ongoing upgrades to the stadium as part of preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The decision reflects the PCB’s commitment to fan safety and the need to ensure that the venue is fully prepared to host Pakistan’s first ICC tournament since 1996.
The upgrades at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, along with similar renovations at other venues, are part of a broader effort by the PCB to enhance facilities ahead of the high-profile event. As a result, Gaddafi Stadium is ruled out as a venue until February 2025, leaving Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi as the primary locations for upcoming cricket matches.
Multan was considered as an alternative venue for the Test, but logistical challenges and the potential financial losses associated with last-minute changes led the PCB to keep the match in Karachi. With hotel bookings, flights, and security arrangements already in place, the decision to stick with Karachi was deemed the most practical, even though the match will now be played without spectators.
In a statement, the PCB described the choice as a “difficult decision” but emphasized that the health and safety of fans remain a top priority. “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,” the PCB noted.
Despite the changes in Karachi, the England Test scheduled for October 15 in the city will proceed as planned, with spectators expected to be in attendance. The Bangladesh cricket team, meanwhile, has arrived in Lahore ahead of schedule due to the political unrest in their home country. The early arrival allows the team to train at Gaddafi Stadium before heading to Rawalpindi for the first Test on August 21.
This tour marks Bangladesh’s return to Pakistan for bilateral cricket after their 2020 visit was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The PCB extended an invitation to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to ensure the visiting team had adequate preparation time under fair conditions, further underscoring the board’s focus on maintaining high standards for international cricket in Pakistan.
