<i>Of a cricket stadium</i>
Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla stadium is known as the home of cricket. Bangladesh Cricket Board has full, permanent control over that ground. As a result it is better placed to work for development of our cricket. I would like to thank the Cricket Board for an excellent job done. It has developed the infrastructure of the stadium not only beautifully but also very aesthetically. As a result, the drainage system of the stadium is very modern and tremendously effective. Indoor facilities are also magnificent. The outfield is very green and that has pleased spectators. Such positive steps indicate the degree of professionalism and co-ordination that has been brought in. However, while appreciating all the good work done so far, I would like to talk about a disappointment; and it is about the cricket pitches of Mirpur Stadium. We know that pitches are very important in cricket. Without quality tracks it is unfair to expect quality performance from cricketers. Cricket is a game of entertainment, joy, passion, love, tension and everything related with human emotions. Viewers expect good scores every time cricketers play. Lively pitches are therefore essential for competitive and exciting cricket. Unfortunately, at Mirpur Stadium the pitches make for very slow, low, brittle and dead cricket. The ball usually comes very late to the bat and always stays low, especially in the second innings. The ball also grips the surface early; the surface of course is dusty and soft. Bounce is uneven and so normally a batsman finds it difficult to score. Around 210/220 is the average total here and the team which bats second faces some serious difficulties. Usually the fate of matches depends on a toss. Additionally, Bangladesh does not have any major strike bowler who can produce a sufficient amount of pace to disturb the batters early in the innings, enough to take some quick important wickets. Most of our top order batsmen suffer against bounce and pace. Their technique gets exposed badly against quality pace bowling attacks. If you want to produce good fast bowlers you also need to encourage them. Young gunners need some help from the pitch to face their opponents. It will also help cricketers to improve their techniques and so apply themselves in other places of the world. Good tracks help the batsman and bowler equally and so the game will be more competitive, stunning and electrifying. It will create chances for both sides to win matches; and it does not matter if they bat first or second. More lively pitches at the domestic level will help batsmen to build a rock solid base. We have regularly watched our batting collapsing again and again. Improvement of quality cannot be expected if you continue with this kind of wicket. I kindly hope that the Board will take steps to improve the situation as soon as possible. Not only for our home of cricket but also for other grounds should such facilities be available. If facilities are there, Bangladesh's cricket will surely improve.
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