ICC Match Referee David Boon has rated the Chittagong surface as ‘below average’ following the high-scoring draw between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the opening Test. As a result, according to the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the pitch has received one demerit point, which will remain active for a five-year period. During this period, if the venue collects four more demerit points, then it can be suspended from hosting international cricket for 12 months.
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The match saw Bangladesh post 513 in the first innings and Sri Lanka amassing a mammoth 713/9 in reply. The pitch didn’t deteriorate during the second innings as well with the hosts posting 307/5 before stumps were drawn on the final day. In total, five centuries and six half-centuries were hit in the game.
Read : Karunaratne hopes for better playing surface in Dhaka Test
The pitch came in for criticism from several quarters including Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who labelled it not ideal for Test cricket.
“The pitch provided no seam movement to the fast bowlers with the new ball and also lacked carry and bounce throughout the match,” Boon said in his report. “The pitch did offer occasional slow turn for the spinners early on, but it did not deteriorate as much as would have been expected as the match progressed, resulting in a pitch that too heavily favoured the batsmen across the five days.”
The second and final Test will be played in Dhaka from February 8.
