No more flat tracks! Pakistan to serve green pitch to favor fast bowlers in 1st PAK vs BAN test in Rawalpindi - Reports

Pakistan and Bangladesh will compete in a two-match PAK vs BAN test series, starting August 21.

After failing to win their last two test matches at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which were played on flat, batting-friendly tracks, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly decided to dish out a green pitch to assist their fast bowlers in the upcoming first test of the two-match PAK vs BAN series.

Starting August 21 in Rawalpindi, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led unit will take on Shan Masood’s team. The second test will be played at the National Stadium, Karachi. The series is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

PAK vs BAN: The hosts to pick four pacers for first test

According to a report in Cricket Pakistan, the hosts have asked the curator to prepare a pitch for the first test against Bangladesh that aids the pacers significantly.

This comes as a response to Pakistan’s failure to win their last two tests here, both in 2022, against Australia and England.

The PAK vs AUS test in March 2022 was one of the dullest games in recent years as only 14 wickets fell in the entire match and it ended in a boring draw. The PAK vs ENG game in December 2022 was one of the most thrilling matches of all time, which England won by 74 runs in the last session of Day 5.

So to have their pacers rock the Bangladeshi batting unit, the PCB have reportedly asked for a pace-friendly pitch with plenty of green grass on it. Pakistan need to win the PAK vs BAN series to give themselves a decent chance of reaching the WTC final.

The report in the Cricket Pakistan website added, “Sources reveal that Pakistan’s bowling attack will include four pacers, with Agha Salman as the lone spinner. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mir Hamza are confirmed selections, while the fourth pace option will be either Khurram Shehzad or Mohammad Ali.”

The PCB had hired an Australian pitch curator to prepare pitches for all their home matches and the Champions Trophy 2025.

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