'Will be an international joke' - Kamran Akmal criticizes PCB for hosting second Test against Bangladesh without spectators

Former Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal recently criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its decision to host the second Test match against Bangladesh behind closed doors.

The match, scheduled to take place at the National Stadium in Karachi from August 30 to September 3, will be played without spectators due to ongoing renovations in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan is set to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, with the first match taking place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The PCB recently announced that the second Test in Karachi would be played without fans in attendance, citing safety concerns due to construction work at the venue.

The PCB's decision has sparked controversy, with Akmal leading the charge against what he sees as poor planning and a potential embarrassment for Pakistani cricket. 

“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,” Kamran said in a video uploaded from his YouTube channel.

Also read: Pakistan to go all-pace against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi Test

We don’t just have 2-3 stadiums: Kamran Akmal

Akmal argued that the PCB had alternative options available, specifically mentioning Faisalabad and Multan as viable venues. 

"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," he added

The former cricketer also opened up about Multan Stadium's quality and its ability to attract crowds.

"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 at 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,” Akmal concluded.