Mushfiqur Rahim remarked after the five-wicket loss to Pakistan yesterday that he hadn’t seen much “home advantage” since October. But the more telling comment was that the Tigers are not entirely sure what score is good on the surfaces they are being served at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The Bangladesh captain’s confusion on what is a good score and the visitors’ lack of confidence with the bat are indications of the quality of wickets.
There has been a change of boss at the Mirpur venue as Gamini de Silva, the chief curator, has been put in charge after the West Indies series. It was learned that the Bangladesh Cricket Board wasn’t exactly happy with curator Badiul Alam’s work during the last series.
Whether the change of guard has prompted such massive deterioration of the wickets is hard to say but the bottom line is, the large crowd that showed up for the first ODI didn’t get to see good cricket, a phenomenon that depends a lot on the pitch. Definitely there is thrill in the low-scoring game but the need is not for a featherbed but a wicket that provides ample pace for shot-making as well something for bowlers of all kinds.
Since the home batsmen need that much assistance, it is necessary for the wicket to be part of the home advantage that everyone talks about.
-With The Daily Star input
