PAK vs BAN, 1st Test: Naseem Shah slams PCB over placid Rawalpindi pitch

Naseem Shah didn’t minced his words and criticised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for another docile pitch in Rawalpindi where Pakistan has failed to extract the home advantage the first Test against Bangladesh.

“We need to be honest. It’s been too many series where we get these types of pitches,” Naseem told reporters after the end of Day 4.

“The groundstaff tried their best to make this pitch good for bowling, but perhaps because of the heat and sunshine there isn’t much help from the pitch.

“We need to think about how to extract home advantage, because you have to find a way to produce results from these games, otherwise you’re not utilising home advantage,” he added.

Naseem also questioned Pakistan’s approach to Test cricket at home.

“If we’re incapable of making the sort of pitches that help fast bowlers, then we should look at whether we can produce spin wickets,” he said.

“However you do it, you need to use home advantage. People come to enjoy Test cricket in this heat, so you need to entertain them.

“What shouldn’t happen is you’re on the field at home and thinking this is hard work. The more you keep cricket entertaining, the better. It’s something we need to seriously think about.”

Naseem, playing his first Test after a year following a long-term injury, and was among pick of the Pakistan bowlers. Naseem bowled 27.3 overs and picked up three wickets.

“I’m playing a Test after more than a year and took me time to find my rhythm. The kind of weather we have right now, it’s extremely hot, and we didn’t get the kind of help from the surface as a bowling unit as we expected,” he said.

Ahead of the Test series, PCB has appointed Australia’s Tony Hemming as its new chief curator on a two-year contract.

The Australian has been tasked with improving the quality of pitches for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, England and West Indies this season, besides also supervising the preparation of pitches for the domestic season.

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