“Looks Like Pakistan Pitch”: Smith Warns of Extra Pace

Bangla Press Desk:   Kiwi all-rounder Nathan Smith has warned of a shifting surface, hinting that the upcoming surface may offer extra pace, similar to that of the Pakistan wickets, ahead of the second ODI in Dhaka on Monday.

Speaking at the press conference, Smith said the pitch is already showing signs of wear and could become increasingly tricky as the match progresses.“The wicket is baking under the sun, so it starts breaking up,” he said on Sunday. “By the time the lights come on, footmarks and cracks are opening.”

The 27-year-old expects a fresh surface for the upcoming clash, but one that may offer more pace than the previous encounter.

“I’d be surprised if there’s extreme Test-style bounce,” he noted. “But the wicket being prepared looks similar to Pakistan surfaces, so there could be a bit more pace.”

Smith admitted uncertainty over scoring patterns, suggesting conditions rather than timing may dictate batting difficulty.

“I’m not sure if it’s about the time of day or just the sun cooking the wicket, but it definitely changes,” he added.

The medium pacer also hinted that the earlier pitch may have had more zip than initially expected.

“It looked like there might have been more pace in the first wicket as well. We’ll just have to see how this one plays,” he concluded.