Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson strongly criticised the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch after his team’s poor performance in the first T20I against Bangladesh. Bangladesh comfortably chased down the modest target of 110 runs in just 15.3 overs and defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. After the defeat, Mike Hesson slammed the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch, stating that it did not meet international standards. The 2nd T20I between Pakistan & Bangladesh is also going to be played at the same venue. Will the surface change? Let’s find out.
Shere Bangla National Stadium Pitch Report for BAN vs PAK 2nd T20I 2025
The Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka is once again expected to offer a very spin-friendly pitch. Batters will find it difficult to handle the spin and turn during the 2nd T20I. Both teams are likely to struggle to score quickly, and the side that plays spin better is expected to win the game. Despite Mike Hesson’s criticism of the pitch at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, a similar surface is expected for the second match. Bangladesh is known for preparing spin-friendly conditions for its bowlers, and they are likely to continue this approach despite the backlash.
What Mike Hesson Actually Said about Dhaka Pitch
After the first T20I, Hesson told reporters, “I don’t think this pitch is ideal for anyone. Teams are preparing for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. This is not acceptable. While this is no excuse for some of our poor decisions with the bat, the pitch does not meet international standards.”
In addition, the Pakistan head coach said that playing on such pitches will not help the Bangladeshi team perform well on foreign soil.
He further added, “To develop quality cricketers, you need good cricket wickets. During the BPL, there were some good surfaces, but these pitches are not suitable for international-level cricket. I don’t think it’s going to help them when they play outside Bangladesh. That said, batting first in such conditions is also challenging. When you’re unsure whether a score of 100, 130, or 150 is enough, it adds pressure. I don’t think this pitch is good for any team. Still, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to perform well on any given surface. As a team, we will reflect on this.”