Pitch still a mystery
Even before the start of the two-match Test series between Bangladesh and Australia, the pitches in Dhaka and Chittagong had been the centre of discussion among players and team managements of both teams.
In the first Test, Bangladesh managed to utilise home condition and the pitch to great effect in a dramatic 20-run win in Dhaka, so the curiosity was just heightened over the wicket at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
Expecting a lot of turn and purchase for the spinners, both teams opted to go with just one pacer in the line-up, indicating yet another spinning paradise but after the first day things look a bit different.
There was hardly any turn since Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim elected to bat again after winning the second toss of the series. The wicket, which looked dry despite being under covers for long periods in the rainy port city, was a decent batting track on the first day with the odd ball kicking every now and then, but it was still hard to score runs initially.
There are four more days to go, and this pitch may still have a lot to offer. It was learned that the pitch will start to change its nature and offer more turn from the latter half of the second day if there is enough sunshine to dry things up further.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon adapted to the pitch very quickly, and latched on to the fact that the ball tends to skid on if there was more pace behind it.
The top four Bangladesh batsmen were dismissed in similar fashion, playing for the turn which was non-existent and therefore missing the line of the delivery to be trapped in front.
An on-song Lyon may have picked up five wickets but said that it was a docile pitch and that he had to persevere to get the wickets.
From opener Tamim Iqbal to number four Mominul Haque, all departed without being able to adapt to the pitch properly, which may pique the interest of spinners in the Tigers camp, but then again it will be a daunting task for the bowlers to execute their plan.
However, according to Sabbir Rahman the highest scorer for the home side after the first day, it is still not sure what will be an ideal total in the first innings and that could well keep the Aussie batsmen in a bit of doubt as to how to approach the innings when they come out to bat.
It will be crucial for Bangladesh to post a score near or above 350 and at the same time the bowlers need to bowl in the right areas, as Lyon did, when there was no help from the deck.
Heading into the second day the pitch remains a mystery for both sides, but at least the home side will feel slightly optimistic as the visitors may have to face the music if the wicket starts to deteriorate and favour the home spinners.