PAK vs BAN: Mike Hesson slams Mirpur pitch, calling it 'unacceptable'
Bangladesh handed Pakistan a seven-wicket defeat in the first of the three-match T20I series at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday. The hosts stunned the visitors with a terrific bowling performance, bowling out Pakistan for the first time in T20 international history. On a slow surface, Pakistan batters looked to adopt an aggressive approach, but it didn’t work out in their favour. The visitors were bowled out for just 109 in 19.3 overs. Bangladesh, in response, chased down the total in 15.3 overs with seven wickets in hand.
Following the defeat, Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson expressed his displeasure over the surface laid out for the first T20I. He wasn’t happy with the pitch being prepared, labelling it as ‘unacceptable’.
"I think the pitch is not ideal for anybody. Teams are trying to prepare for the Asia Cup or the T20 World Cup. It is not acceptable. It is still no excuse for some of the decisions we made with the bat. But this pitch is not up to international standards," Hesson told reporters after the first T20I.
Hesson went on to add that the pitches prepared in the Bangladesh Premier League were better than the one used in the recently concluded first T20I. On a slow pitch with low bounce, Hesson also highlighted the uncertainty on how to approach the innings while batting first.
"You need good cricket wickets to develop cricketers. There were some good wickets during the BPL, to be fair. It is not up to the standard when international cricket is being played. I don't think it helps them when they leave Bangladesh. But I also think batting first in these situations is challenging. When you aren't quite sure whether 100 or 130 or 150 is good enough. I don't think the pitch is good for anybody. It still doesn't take away the fact that you have to perform better in any surface. We will look at it as a team," he added.
Bangladesh take 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series
Bangladesh took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series after beating Pakistan by seven wickets in Dhaka. Fakhar Zaman was dropped out early in the innings, and he went on to play a handy knock of 44 runs in 34 balls. However, Bangladesh ensured they kept taking wickets at the other end. Pakistan had lost half of their side for just 46 runs inside 8 overs, but handy cameos from Khushdil Shah (17) and Abbas Afridi (22) propelled them to 109 in 19.3 overs. In reply, Bangladesh too lost two quick wickets in the first two overs.
But Parvez Hossain Emon (56 off 39) and Towhid Hridoy (36 off 37) stitched a 73-run partnership for the third wicket to help their team chase down the score comfortably inside 16 overs. The second T20 international is scheduled to take place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.
