Surprise in store in Mirpur?

The Mirpur wicket has often looked green in the past, hinting at assistance for fast bowlers, but more often than not it has behaved like a typical slow and low surface, offering little surprise. However, a BCB official on Tuesday claimed that the track could indeed offer a bit of a surprise in terms of quality this time around.

With Bangladesh looking to rediscover their rhythm in ODI cricket, the need to play on proper sporting wickets has become increasingly important. Several players have also suggested that the team requires more matches on good batting surfaces.

Ahead of another important home series, the Mirpur pitch will once again be under scrutiny.

“It may be a bit of a surprise this time. Things are changing now,” a BCB official, with knowledge about the surface, told The Daily Star.

The wicket appeared to have a thin covering of grass and looked hard, which could ensure good carry for the bowlers. Traditionally, however, Mirpur pitches have tended to be slow and uneven.

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi seemed encouraged by the conditions as a fast bowler.

“So far it feels like there’s a little bit there for fast bowlers. Haven’t seen what it’s like right now but we will check again and have a discussion with the team management and go from there,” he added during the press conference in Mirpur on Tuesday afternoon.

In Bangladesh’s last home ODI series in October last year, West Indies used spinners to bowl all fifty overs in one match. Shaheen, however, suggested that things could be different this time.

“Pakistan team is always known for fast bowling and I will definitely go with fast bowling and make sure fast bowlers take wickets and also spinners can contribute,” he said when asked whether Pakistan would follow a similar approach to that of the West Indies.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said that the team needed true wickets as part of their preparation for the upcoming World Cup.

Whether such expectations will finally be met at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium remains to be seen, as the balance between securing direct World Cup qualification and building confidence among the batters continues to be a key consideration.