Sylhet Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Report For PAK vs BAN 2nd Test
BAN vs PAK 2nd Test: Pitch and Weather Report
Bangladesh will lock horns with Pakistan in the second and final Test of the two-match series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20 at 9:30 AM (IST).
The Hosts Look to Make History
The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led hosts will have an unprecedented opportunity to do a historic double over Pakistan and win back-to-back series against them, home and away. On the other hand, Shan Masood and co. will have a point to prove after an underwhelming display in the first Test, as they look to salvage a tied series.
Pitch Report
Sylhet is one of the lesser used red-ball venues in Bangladesh, which has hosted only five Test matches since it was upgraded to the international standards in 2014. Out of the five matches, three have been won by the teams batting first, while two have been won batting second.
It is a venue, where the pitch deteriorates heavily by the fourth and fifth day, providing a lot of assistance to the spin bowlers, which is evident with the 61.45 per cent wickets taken by them as opposed to 38.54 per cent for the pacers. The team’s haven’t scored tons of runs here, considering the help for the slower bowlers.
Weather Report
Ahead of the fixture, according to Accuweather, the signs for the Test are ominous. Throughout the course of the first four days, consistent rain interruptions are expected with high cloud cover, which could be a deciding factor for the teams winning the toss.
The temperatures are set to remain around 32°C to 35°C and the probability of rain is the highest on Day 4 at 98 per cent.
What to Expect
Going by the available data, Sylhet is a venue where spinners would ideally enjoy their time as the match progresses and the pitch opens up, especially with the temperature in the 30s. However, looking at the weather forecast, it will be a stop-start match until the final day of the Test.
With considerable rain predicted and pitch set to remain under the covers for some time, the moisture, alongside the cloud cover will bring the pacers into action, making it an interesting match for a series decider. If it rains too much, a draw cannot be ruled out as well.
It is also interesting to see whether Babar Azam returns for the match after missing the first Test.
Previous Match Performance
Bangladesh started off the series brilliantly with a century for captain Shanto and fifties for Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim in the first innings of the Mirpur Test, posting 413. In response, the debutants Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal impressed with a century and a fifty, respectively, but they conceded a 27-run lead, courtesy of Mehidy Hasan Miraz‘s 5/105.
Mominul and Shanto again scored fifties and took the target 268 — well out of reach for Pakistan, who had just over 2 sessions to get the score. Fazal got another fifty in the match, but Nahid Rana wreaked havoc with his pace and ripped into the Pakistan lineup, grabbing 5/40 (9.5) to win the match by 104 runs.
As Bangladesh looks to win their second Test series against Pakistan on the bounce, we take a look at the conditions they will play in at Sylhet.
- Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Test stats:
- Three wins for teams batting first, two wins for teams batting second.
- 61.45 per cent wickets taken by spin bowlers, 38.54 per cent by pacers.
Will Bangladesh be able to do a historic double over Pakistan and win back-to-back series against them? Only time will tell.
