KARACHI, Aug 19: There was uncertainty on Tuesday over the state of the pitch for the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

A fair amount of grass left on the pitch when the whole square was put under covers. Apparently, it was claimed that Pakistan team management had requested the PCB for a lively pitch against the minnows of Test cricket.

But Agha Zahid, the PCB’s curator of pitches, is likely to get the track shaven and rolled on Wednesday morning.

Dav Whatmore, the Bangladesh coach, was unconcerned about the fuss over pitch preparation.

“Of course, it is the prerogative of the home board as far as preparation of the pitch is concerned. We just have to play on any surface provided by the hosts,” the Colombo-born former Australian batsman told a press conference on Tuesday.

“But if the pitch does not come up to required standards, then it is the match referee’s job to intervene into the matter,” he added.

Pakistan coach Javed Miandad expected the pitch to behave normally.

“Cricket is a one ball game. A batsman may get to a full-toss or a poor delivery. I expect the pitch to play true since both our bowling and batting are good.”

The toss could play a vital role inspite of Bangladesh’s poor record.

The tinge of green offers hope to fast bowlers but it may turn out to be a false alarm when the match finally starts.

Opinion

Editorial

Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...
Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....