Kamran Akmal slams PCB for hosting Karachi Test without spectators

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for scheduling the second Test against Bangladesh to be played behind closed doors.

The Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to start on August 21, with Rawalpindi hosting the first Test and Karachi the second from August 30.

The PCB announced that the second Test will be played without fans due to ongoing renovations at Karachi's National Stadium, which is being prepared for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be held in Pakistan early next year.

Akmal expressed his discontent in a video on his YouTube channel, saying it was embarrassing for Pakistan cricket to stage a Test match without spectators. He suggested that the match could have been held at Faisalabad or Multan, which have quality stadiums and supportive crowds.

“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," Akmal said.

“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," he added.

Akmal criticized the PCB’s decision-making, suggesting it reflects poorly on Pakistan’s cricket reputation internationally.

"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,” Akmal concluded.