DHAKA – Pakistan’s head coach, Mike Hesson, has strongly criticized the pitch at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur following his team’s seven-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series. The pitch was a major talking point after Pakistan’s batting collapse, where they were bowled out for a mere 110 runs, struggling to cope with the conditions.
Hesson, who has been known for his candid assessments, labeled the pitch “unacceptable” for international cricket. He pointed out that the surface provided no fair contest between bat and ball and criticized it for hindering the development of players, particularly with major international tournaments like the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup looming.
While acknowledging that Pakistan’s batting performance was below par, Hesson made it clear that the pitch did not offer a level playing field for both teams. “It’s not ideal for anyone,” Hesson said. “Teams are preparing for big tournaments, and this type of pitch is simply not acceptable at this level. It’s not helping anyone, not the players and certainly not the fans who want to see competitive cricket.”
He further stressed that international matches should be held on pitches that offer a balanced contest and allow both batsmen and bowlers to showcase their skills. The coach also mentioned that Pakistan, despite the challenging conditions, should have adapted better to the pitch and made better decisions on the field.
Hesson’s comments sparked debate among cricket fans and experts, many of whom agreed that the Mirpur pitch needs improvement for international cricket to maintain its integrity. The second T20I is scheduled to take place on July 22 at the same venue, and all eyes will be on how both teams adjust to the pitch conditions once again.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.