PCB decides to relocate second Test match against Bangladesh from Karachi

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to relocate the second Test match of the Pakistan-Bangladesh series from Karachi to Rawalpindi.

The match, originally scheduled to start on August 30, will now take place in Rawalpindi due to ongoing renovations at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

The first Test of the series is set to begin on August 21 at Rawalpindi Stadium.

Sources indicate that the decision to shift the second Test was made because of the ongoing upgrades at the Karachi venue in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy.

Initially, the PCB had considered holding the match in Karachi without spectators, but the need to complete construction work before the Champions Trophy 2025 led to the relocation.

The renovation work at National Bank Stadium includes the removal of debris and the construction of new facilities.

According to sources, the renovation project will proceed in phases.

The first phase involves constructing a new five-storey building with dressing rooms for players. The second phase will see the installation of modern Teflon roofing in all enclosures.

In the third and final phase, the central building will be demolished and replaced with a new structure.

The PCB is keen to complete the upgrade of three key stadiums—Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi's National Bank Stadium, and Rawalpindi's Stadium—before the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled for February to March next year.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is personally overseeing the mega project, which has a total budget allocation of Rs12.8 billion.

The ICC has already approved a budget of $7 million for Pakistan to host the Champions Trophy.

Meanwhile, no decision has been made regarding the potential relocation of the second Test of the Pakistan-England series, scheduled to be played in Karachi from October 15 .