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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the much-awaited pitch ratings for the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup that was held in the West Indies and the United States from June 1 to June 29. Of the pitches that were rated, 31 received a 'satisfactory' rating, while the match referees gave a 'very good' rating to 18 surfaces. Three surfaces were, however, marked 'unsatisfactory'.
Of the three pitches termed 'unsatisfactory' by match referees, one was used for the first semifinal between South Africa and Afghanistan at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, on June 26. The surface had received a lot of backlash after Afghanistan were bundled out for 56 in 11.5 overs and the Proteas cruised to victory by nine wickets. The curator later admitted that the pitch used for the semifinal was underprepared.
Batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan were completely at sea against South Africa's bowlers in the knockout clash of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Azmatullah Omarzai (10) was the only batter to reach double figures as Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi claimed three wickets each, while Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje picked up two apiece.
The pitch used for the India vs Ireland 2024 T20 World Cup match in the US also gets 'unsatisfactory' rating
The pitches used for match number 4 (Sri Lanka vs South Africa) and match number 8 (India vs Ireland) of the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup also received unsatisfactory ratings from the ICC. Incidentally, both the games were played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
In match number 4, South Africa beat Sri Lanka by six wickets on an extremely sluggish surface. Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first, but were rolled over in 77 in 19.1 overs. Not a single batter from the Asian side reached 20 as Proteas fast bowler Nortje produced exceptional figures of 4-7.
South Africa, themselves, struggled in the chase and labored their way past the target, getting over the line in 16.2 overs, losing four wickets in the process. Opener Quinton de Kock top-scored with 20 off 27, while Klaasen was unbeaten on 19 off 22 balls. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga claimed 2-22.
Shifting focus to the India vs Ireland game in New York, this was also a low-scoring encounter in which batters struggled due to the surface's unpredictability, especially the uneven bounce. Bowling first, India bundled out Ireland for 96 in 16 overs as Hardik Pandya starred with 3-27. Indian captain Rohit Sharma hit 52 off 37 in the chase but had to retire hurt due to a hit on the arm.
