Students get free entry at second Rawalpindi Test but what’s the catch? | The Express Tribune

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced free entry for students to the second Test match against Bangladesh, but with certain conditions.

According to a statement issued by the PCB, students must wear their uniforms and present a valid school ID card to gain entry to the stadium.

Admission to VIP enclosures, including Imran Khan and Javed Miandad enclosures, will be subject to seat availability, while students can freely watch the match from the premium enclosures such as Miran Bakhsh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, and Yasir Arafat.

The policy of free entry does not extend to the PCB Gallery or the Platinum Box.

Additionally, the free shuttle bus service, which was provided during the first Test, will continue for the second match as well.

Previously, during the first Test in Rawalpindi, the PCB had made entry free for fans on the last two days due to low spectator turnout.

The decision to offer free entry this time is aimed at encouraging families and students to support their cricket stars and enjoy the match over the weekend.

In the first test match on Sunday, Spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan took seven wickets between them to secure Bangladesh’s maiden win over Pakistan in five-day cricket, a stunning 10-wicket victory in the first Test in Rawalpindi.

Mehidy grabbed 4-21 and Shakib 3-44 to trigger a Pakistan collapse on the fifth day, with the home side dismissed for 146 runs in 55.5 overs.

That left Bangladesh a target of just 30 runs, which openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam reached in 6.3 overs.

Zakir (15) hit the winning boundary, with Shadman at the other end unbeaten on nine, as their squad celebrated a memorable victory.

Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan in the second innings with 51, including six boundaries, but the home team were staring at defeat on 108-6 at lunch.

A holiday crowd of nearly 5,000 expected Pakistan to fight out a draw but Mehidy bowled Rizwan and trapped last man Mohammad Ali for a duck in successive overs.

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto dedicated the win to people who were killed in political turmoil that resulted in the ouster of premier Sheikh Hasina this month after weeks of student-led protests.