In a rare moment of candour, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has publicly admitted what critics have long contended: the pitches at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNS) are simply not up to scratch. In an interview, Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedin Fahim laid the blame squarely at the feet of the ground staff, insisting that the board never instructed them to prepare the slow, low wickets that have become the venue's infamous trademark.
The admission follows a recent T20I series victory against Pakistan, a win that was met with more derision than celebration. The hosts were widely criticised for triumphing in the first two matches on woefully subpar surfaces, only to be exposed on a more "sporting" wicket in the third. This pattern of capitalising on home advantage with doctored pitches against teams like Australia and England has long been a source of contention, and Nazmul's comments appear to validate those long-standing complaints.
"I think there was an attempt to make it sporting, but they couldn't do it," Nazmul stated, deflecting responsibility. "That responsibility lies with those who are in charge of preparing it... From the board's side, I don't think it was ever instructed that the wicket has to be low and slow."
This is a startlingly honest, yet simultaneously unconvincing, explanation. It suggests either an abdication of authority or a systemic failure that the board has tolerated for years. Nazmul conceded that the problems are ingrained, referencing "the nature of the soil" and "too many matches." He ominously suggested that a complete overhaul, including the potential removal of the entire soil base, might be necessary to see "a better wicket in Mirpur."
He also echoed BCB President Aminul Islam's recent concerns about the notorious black soil, explaining that it causes the ball to lose its colour and affects visibility. This is a crucial point that highlights how the pitch issues go beyond just uneven bounce, impacting the fundamentals of batting.
Looking ahead, Nazmul confirmed that the BCB is closely monitoring the A-team and High-Performance unit matches, with an eye on the upcoming **Asia Cup** in the UAE. While he acknowledged that the main squad for the tournament, where Bangladesh are in a tough Group B with Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, is likely already decided, he left the door ajar for any standout performers.
"If someone performs well in the A team tournament, there will naturally be interest in that," he said, offering a glimmer of hope to players vying for a late call-up. This suggests a commendable, if belated, shift towards a meritocratic system, where strong domestic performances might actually translate into international opportunities.
