Mirpur wicket in focus ahead of second Test

Bangladesh will play the second Test against Pakistan tomorrow at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and the Tigers will be eager to bounce back from the defeat in the first Test at Chattogram with the visitors 1-0 up in the two-Test series. Ahead of the match, the nature of the pitch was a big focal point in captain Mominul Haque's press conference today.

Bangladesh had spin friendly pitches at home Test wins against Australia and England in the past but in Pakistan they have a team from the subcontinent adept at playing spin. Asked about the wicket, Mominul said that the wicket would be a 'normal' Mirpur track.

Bangladesh have been known to depend on certain conditions at home which then backfires when the team is put to the test in other conditions. Question becomes whether the track would be spin friendly and Mominul revealed his expectations. "You all know that subcontinent teams play spin very well. I feel that against teams from the subcontinent, it's better not to play on spinning wickets. Other teams all do the same too. I feel that flat wicket would be better," Mominul said during today's virtual press conference following the team's practice session.

"You all know that it's difficult to comment on the Mirpur wicket but from what I have seen, I feel that it won't be like the wickets we had against Australia and England.  

With Shakib Al Hasan returning for the second Test after sitting out the Pakistan T20Is and the first Test through injury, Mominul will be looking forward to his ace all-rounder to lift the team.

"Things get easier when Shakib bhai plays. He practiced the last few days and things look good. With him returning, we're thinking of four bowlers and seven batters," Mominul said about Shakib's return and the team combination.