BAN vs NZ: Apex Cricket Council gives 1 demerit point to Sher-e-Bangla stadium, identifies it as unsatisfactory pitch

The Apex Cricket Council, cricket's global governing body, announced on Tuesday that a review of the second Test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand revealed an "unsatisfactory" pitch condition. The match was held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

The stadium witnessed fifteen wickets fall on the opening day of the game, with neither team managing to surpass 180 runs in an inning. Although New Zealand eventually won the Test, levelling the two-match series at -1, Kiwi Captain Tim Southee criticised the pitch, labelling it the "worst wicket" in his extensive career.

As reported to the Apex Cricket Council, match referee David Boon also highlighted concerns about the pitch's preparation. He noted that the pitch appeared underprepared, lacking hardness, and covered in grass clippings on the first day. Boon's report further revealed inconsistent bounce throughout the match, with numerous deliveries bursting the surface and spin bowlers' deliveries often going over the batter's shoulder when playing forward and occasionally staying very low.

Sher-e-Bangla Stadium receives one demerit point

Consequently, the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium received one demerit point from the Apex Cricket Council, resulting in an "unsatisfactory" pitch rating. These demerit points are valid for five years, and if a venue accumulates six, it faces a one-year ban from hosting international cricket matches.

Over recent years, pitches at the Mirpur stadium have faced criticism for their slow and low characteristics. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has a 14-day window to appeal the sanction imposed by the Apex Cricket Council.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining quality pitches that provide a fair and balanced contest between bat and ball. The Apex Cricket Council continues to monitor pitch conditions closely, emphasising the importance of upholding standards for international matches. It's worth noting that with this loss, Bangladesh failed to win a Test series against New Zealand.