BCB leader criticizes Mirpur pitch as unsatisfactory following T20I series victory over Pakistan
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has acknowledged concerns about the pitch at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium following criticism from local officials and visiting teams.
BCB President Nazmul Abedin admitted that the Mirpur pitch has repeatedly failed to meet expectations. He stated that the wicket is not satisfactory and action needs to be taken to improve it. Nazmul echoed Aminul Islam's concern about the black soil used in the pitch making it difficult for batters to spot the ball. He confirmed that Aminul's observation about the black soil affecting visibility was correct.
Nazmul also stated that without natural grass, the ball comes into contact with the soil and takes on a darker shade. He suggested that the entire soil base of the Mirpur wicket might need to be removed or the preparation process may need to change.
From the BCB's side, Nazmul said it was never instructed that the wicket had to be low and slow. However, Pakistan's white-ball Head Coach Mike Hesson and T20I skipper Salman Agha previously criticized the Mirpur pitch, with Salman labeling it "unacceptable" for international cricket.
Nazmul Abedin, the BCB Chairman, has expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch. He hopes to see a better wicket in Mirpur soon. The BCB is planning improvements and radical reforms to the pitch, with greater oversight of pitch preparation and potentially reconsidering the soil composition and maintenance practices to resolve the problems flagged by both local officials and visiting teams.
The BCB is actively addressing the pitch issues at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium through reform plans prompted by widespread criticism. These reforms come after Bangladesh made history by winning the T20I series 2-1 against Pakistan for the first time ever. The BCB is committed to monitoring and closely working on conditions ahead of upcoming major tournaments like the Asia Cup, indicating an intent to bring the pitch up to suitable international standards.
- The BCB's commitment to improving the Mirpur pitch is not just a response to recent criticism, but also a part of history as Bangladesh, for the first time, won a T20I series against Pakistan.
- In light of concerns about the black soil used in the Mirpur pitch affecting visibility, the BCB is considering radical reforms, including possibly altering the soil composition and maintenance practices, illustrating the intersection of sports history and pitch conditions.
