The ongoing renovations at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi have led the Pakistan Cricket Board to relocate the second test against Bangladesh to Rawalpindi. As a result, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will now host both matches of the series, with the first test scheduled to begin on Wednesday and the second test on August 30th.

Initially, plans were in place to hold the second test in Karachi without spectators due to the renovations required for next year’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan. However, the PCB recently announced that construction experts have advised against this due to potential noise pollution and health concerns arising from the ongoing renovation activities.

The PCB emphasized that the decision to move the second test was made to ensure the well-being of players, officials, broadcasters, and media personnel. The priority remains to allow uninterrupted renovation work at the stadium to have it fully operational for the Champions Trophy scheduled for February 2025.

Before finalizing the venue change, the PCB consulted with various stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Karachi is also slated to host one of the three test matches against England in October, with the PCB asserting its commitment to collaborating with architects and construction experts to ensure the successful hosting of the match. The PCB will maintain close communication with the England and Wales Cricket Board to keep them informed of any developments.