apart from the pep talk, BD would be perhaps better off with a grassy wicket where pace bowlers get a lot out of the wicket. I am not sure about the statement that whatever is put together the pitch will crack at the end due to climate in BD. The reason behind my comment is as following:
1) In pace bowling a strength to strength comparison shows BD has smaller gap with India contrary to spin bowling. Some of the specialist batsmen in the Indian team can bowl slow ones (e.g Tendulkar, Sehwag etc.) very well. Therefore, they have depth in their slow bowling department. On strength comparison for spin, BD is miles off from India. Also if one of the two, Z. Khan, and I. Pathan are rested, the gap in pace bowling is further reduced.
2) From a batting point of view, I think BD is equally vulnerable against spin and pace, if one looks at the entire innings of a match. Evidently, I think Ashraful and Bashar play better against pace bowling. Potentially, that is a gamble though. We have done enough of those, and would one more hurt? A point to ponder.
3) Here is a soft underbelly that Indian team in my opinion has: The last time India toured NZ, I noticed NZ created a massacre with some intelligent pace bowling on a track that considerably helped the pacers.
On a batting track, India would score 500+ in a day and a half and we would loose by a innings on the 4th day. However, on a pace friendly track we have a solid chance in minimizing the gap and perhaps even show case our bowlers to justify pace friendly tracks for future tests in BD.
Edited on, November 24, 2004, 10:52 AM GMT, by ghor_jamai.
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