Two-paced wickets causing an uproar

Enquiries regarding the slowness of the wicket have become the most common questions during almost every post-match press briefing of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

And the reason behind that is the low-scoring encounters that have been taking place in the last two days. Even from afar, it's difficult to comprehend how the ball is going to behave.

With the new ball there seems to be good carry and a bit of swing as well. However, as mid-innings approaches, the bounce gets lower. But it's not the lack of bounce that is the main problem; anything consistent can be adjusted to and dealt with.

The main problem it seems is the two-paced nature of the wicket. While some balls are slow off the wicket, there are a few that tend to skid through to the keeper. As a result it becomes difficult for a batsman to know when to go for that attempted hit.

Ask the players what the problem is and most of them don't have much of an idea. Confusing and surprising are among the few words that players have used to describe the pitch this week and yesterday was no different.

"It's definitely getting lower and the pitch is a little double-paced. Sometimes it skids and sometimes it comes slowly. That is the only issue that most batters are finding, I am not sure why it's happening. I have played on better tracks in Bangladesh," said Sylhet Superstars' Ravi Bopara after the match.

Bopara, who has played in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) in the past, still managed to give an idea or two about the enigmatic wickets.

"To be fair the wickets in the DPL weren't the best, but over there you have 50 overs and you can take your time to get in, but you don't get that time in T20 cricket.

"So that's why it's making it hard for batters. As soon as you play a shot, the wicket could misbehave," he said.

Shakib echoed Bopara's sentiments and reiterated his stance on the issue and said that the wicket wasn't getting enough rest.

BPL technical committee convener Jalal Yunus admitted that there was an issue with the wicket and said that they were disappointed.

"Yes it's disappointing in the sense that we wanted more runs in the competition. The matches are actually being held on three different wickets. The remaining wickets are being preserved for future tournaments.

"We have received complaints about the wicket and we have planned a meeting with our curator to discuss the issue. We are going to discuss whether something can be done for the matches after the Chittagong leg," said Jalal.