Mirpur Pitch Deemed “Unsatisfactory” by ICC After Inconsistent Bounce and Bursting Balls

As expected beforehand, The International Cricket Council (ICC) has deemed the pitch used for the second Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand at Mirpur as “unsatisfactory”, raising concerns over its quality and consistency.

The entire match was completed within 177 overs despite more than 120 overs lost due to the rain. No team succeeded to to touch 200 runs mark in this test match the pitch was quite difficult to bat on as The balloons was inconsistent and there was some there was too much for offering for the spinners.

It is so the point here is that there wasn’t a fair game between bat and bowl bonus dominated the game was such a game can be Monday in were battles have nothing they can do about. New Zealand Captain team Saudi describe this fish perfectly when he said on this kind of wicket, a ball had your name on it.

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Following a report submitted by Match Referee David Boon, the ICC has awarded the Shere Bangla National Stadium one demerit point under its Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. This comes after the match officials and captains expressed concerns about the uneven bounce and balls bursting from the surface during the Test.

Mr. Boon’s report highlighted the under-prepared nature of the pitch, stating that it was covered in grass clippings and lacked hardness. He further noted the inconsistent bounce throughout the match, with deliveries from spin bowlers often behaving unexpectedly and posing challenges for the batsmen.

While the outfield was praised for its quality, the pitch’s shortcomings were deemed unacceptable for an international Test match. This decision emphasizes the ICC’s commitment to ensuring fair and consistent playing conditions for all teams.

Playing Conditions are Often Uncanny in Bangladesh 

This demerit adds to the stadium’s existing tally, highlighting the need for improvement in pitch preparation. If the venue accumulates six demerit points within a five-year period, it will face a suspension from hosting international cricket for a year.

It is often the plan of the Bangladesh cricket team and board to prepare pitches where their spinners can extract maximum advantage. Their strategy of playing four spinners often challenges touring teams who struggle to adapt to such conditions. However, in the second match at Mirpur, things went too far.

The pitch was an absolute disgrace to cricket. Fans came to witness a five-day spectacle between two teams, but instead, the match ended within two days. This incident demonstrates that cricket is not heading in the right direction in Bangladesh.

The recent ruling serves as a wake-up call for the authorities responsible for maintaining the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Addressing the concerns raised by the ICC and ensuring consistent and high-quality pitches are crucial for the continued development of cricket in Bangladesh and upholding the integrity of international matches.