Pakistan vs Bangladesh reminder of first Test will have free entry

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced free entry for cricket fans for the remaining two days of the ongoing Rawalpindi Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Pakistan are busy for the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh. Rawalpindi has been chosen as the venue for both of these Test matches, which are part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. 

Details of free entry 

The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh has already been played for three days. So, the spectators can enjoy free entry for the last two days of the Test series opener, Saturday (August 24) and Sunday (August 25).

In the press release, the PCB stated, “Spectators are required to bring their original CNIC or B-form to enter the stadium and they will be able to watch the action free of cost from any of the VIP enclosures (Imran Khan and Javed Miandad) (for families only) and premium enclosures (Miran Baksh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat).”

However, the free entry policy will not work for PCB Gallery or Platinum Box ticket holders. 

SEE ALSO: Saud Shakeel equals 65-year-old Pakistan record

The PCB has also clarified that the fourth and fifth-day ticket buyers will receive the refund. While the online buyers will automatically receive the refund to the credit or debit card used for the purchase, the ticket buyers at Express Centres have been requested to produce the original ticket to the centre for the refund. 

The PCB further added, “Additionally, to further facilitate the fans, a free shuttle bus service will continue to operate on two routes on matchdays for ease of access into the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for spectators. Route 1 will run from Aviation Ground, Rawal Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate while the Route 2 will go from Government Satellite Town College for Boys, 6th Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate.”

Pakistan vs Bangladesh first Test is in an interesting position

After winning the toss in the Test series opener, Bangladesh chose to field first. Although Pakistan had a poor start with 16/3, where Babar Azam scored a duck, back-to-back strong partnerships helped Pakistan make a strong comeback.

While the opener Saim Ayub scored 56 runs, middle-order batters Saud Shakeel (141) and Mohammad Rizwan (171*) hit big centuries to set the first innings total of 448/6 decl. 

In reply, Bangladesh have scored 316/5 at the end of the third day. Bangladesh are trailing by 132 runs on the stumps of day three. While Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam (93) closely missed his century, middle-order batters Mominul Haque (50), Mushfiqur Rahim (55*) and wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das (52*) have already scored crucial 50s.

Although Karachi was the original host for the second Test of Pakistan vs Bangladesh, the match has been ultimately shifted to Rawalpindi due to ongoing construction at the National Stadium in Karachi.