Mirpur pitch rated below average by ICC

David Boon of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC match referees has rated the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium pitch in Dhaka as “below average” after the second and final Test match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended inside three days. As such, it has received one demerit point according to the ICC pitch and outfield monitoring process. Boon, whose report has been forwarded to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, said: “From day one, there was evidence of the ball breaking the pitch surface, which resulted in uneven bounce throughout the match, along with inconsistent turn, which was even excessive at times. This pitch produced a contest that was too heavily skewed in favour of the bowlers, and didn’t give the batsmen a fair chance to display their skill.”

Mirpur becomes the 4th venue, after MCG, Wanderers and Chittagong, to come under ICC's scrutiny in the space of two months. The ground has been given a demerit point for producing a 'below average' pitch in the second Test b/w Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. #BDvSL

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 14, 2018

Sri Lanka won the Test by 215 runs with 681 runs being scored for the loss of 40 wickets. Roshen Silva with 70 not out was the top-scorer of the match. The demerit point will remain active for a rolling five-year period and if during this five-year period the MSBNCS reaches the threshold of five demerit points, then it will be suspended from staging any international cricket for 12 months.