Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has slammed the Dhaka pitch following their horrendous performance in the first T20I vs Bangladesh. Pakistan ended up losing the match by seven wickets as Bangladesh comfortably chased down the modest target of 110 in 15.3 overs.

The visitors put on a horrendous batting performance in the first innings as no one apart from Fakhar Zaman (44 off 34) managed to come to the terms of the pitch. Following their loss, Mike Hesson has slammed the Dhaka surface calling it not up to international standards.

“I think the pitch is not ideal for anybody. Teams are trying to prepare for the Asia Cup or the T20 World Cup. It is not acceptable. It is still no excuse for some of the decisions we made with the bat. But this pitch is not up to international standards,” Hesson told reporters after the first T20I.

Furthermore, the Pakistan head coach said that playing on such surfaces will not help the Bangladesh team when they go out to play in overseas conditions.

“You need good cricket wickets to develop cricketers. There was some good wickets during the BPL, to be fair. It is not up to the standard when international cricket is being played. I don’t think it helps them when they leave Bangladesh. But I think also batting first in these situations is challenging. When you aren’t quite sure whether 100 or 130 or 150 is good enough. I don’t think the pitch is good for anybody. It still doesn’t take away the fact that you have to perform better in any surface. We will look at it as a team,” he added.

Taskin Ahmed (3/22) and Mustafizur Rahman (2/6) ran through the Pakistan batting line up, triggering a dramatic collapse in the middle overs. In the second innings, a half-century from Parvez Hossain Emon (56* off 39) took them home in no time. The opening batter was also adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.

Meanwhile, having lost the series opener, Pakistan will be eager to bounce back in the second T20I on Tuesday, July 22 at the same venue.

– Ends