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By Press Release in Cricket on 25th Oct 2008 15:45
The Shere Bangla Mirpur Stadium became Bangladesh's sixth, and the world's 95th, Test venue in May 2007. It is fondly known as the "The New Home of Bangladesh Cricket" and is shaped like a rectangle as it was originally meant to serve as a football and athletics ground. The stadium also sports the biggest furniture market in Dhaka.
The ground boasts the best drainage system in the sub-continent with some claiming that "15 - 20 minutes" are all you need to drain the field after some of the heaviest rainfall in Bangladesh.
The capacity will be upgraded to 50000 and the ground is scheduled to host the opening ceremony and opening match of the 2011 World Cup.
Last Time Out
Bangladesh have only played two games at the SBNS and lost on both occasions. Having won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in February 2008, the first wicket fell after just two balls, and mere 54.4 overs later the Bangladeshi innings was over with just 192 on the board.
The South Africans struggled in their reply and only amassed a meager 170 - it was clearly a good day at the office for the bowlers.
Bangladesh looked to have a fighting chance as they added 182 runs to the scoreboard in their second innings, but a steady partnership from Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla saw South Africa claim a five-wicket win with a day to spare.
They Said...
Head groundsman Shafiul Alam Belal told Daily Star: "The batsmen may expect more runs from this wicket. The wicket of Dhaka is made of black clay while the Chittagong wicket is made of red clay."
Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons says he hopes his team would be able to catch New Zealand "on the hop" in Dhaka where the pitch "stays low and plays tricks".
Skipper Mohammad Ashraful ahead of the match against the Proteas earlier this year: "We know that South Africa are usually used to play on seeming and bouncy wicket, but here they'll find slow and turning wicket, which may create some problems for them."
Happy Hunting Ground
A bouncy pitch tends to aid the seamers, and Shahadat Hossain took full advantage of this against South Africa, finishing with match figures of 9/97, his best figures in Test cricket.
Bangladesh have failed to produce many highlights with the bat at the SBNS, with Mashrafe Mortaza's 70 being the highest individual score made by the home side.
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast does not paint a pretty picture; scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are predicted for all five days of play of the second Test.
Conclusion
With Bangladesh proving that they've got what it takes to compete on both the batting and bowling front and New Zealand looking rather shaky this should be another interesting feat provided the weather keeps at bay.
If it is overcast at the start of play, the captain winning the toss will look to make use of any overhead conditions by having a bowl first, if the sun is out, expect the winning captain to bat first and look to put up a huge total on the board.
Source:- Cricket365.com
Read more articles in Cricket, by Press Release or from October 2008.
