||CF Correspondent||

While Steve Rhodes made it clear about his demand from the pitch in the first Test against Zimbabwe, he appeared not so confident if his plea would be accepted.

Emboldened by their recent success against team likes Australia and England in a rage turner, the team management looked to retain the same kind of pitch, a thing that didn’t seem go augurs well with Rhodes who wants a balanced wicket which would simultaneously help the spinners and pacers.

“It is not just me who makes the decision. It is a collaboration between the captain, myself, Akram and the guys who are involved in pitches like Mahbubul Anam (BCB director) and many people who want to produce a wicket that will spin,” the head coach said.

Watching his pacers struggle in the seaming wicket on his first assignment in West Indies, Rhodes, however, felt how it badly necessary to offer the pacers some advantage in the home condition.

He doesn’t point out the strength of the opponent but given the vast difference between the two sides, it was the high time to make some experiment.

“Hopefully, it will spin. Also, something that gives our seam bowlers a chance. We want to see how good they are. When we play away from home, they are forced into Test match cricket having not played much at all. Everything is about getting exposure and experience. If we can play with a balanced team on this wicket, then may the best team win,” he said.

But Rhodes said that the groundsman tried his best to produce a wicket which could offer something for bowlers and batsmen simultaneously.