T20 World Cup 2024 Pitch Ratings: ICC report terms surfaces for Afghanistan vs South Africa semi-final and two New York matches as 'unsatisfactory'

The pitch used for Afghanistan vs South Africa in T20 World Cup 2024 faced most criticism. (PTI Photo)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) released the pitch ratings for the 2024 T20 World Cup on Tuesday. The tournament ended on 29 June with India defeating South Africa to secure their second title, featured 52 matches. According to the ICC's report, the pitches for the first two games at Nassau County Stadium in New York and the semifinal between Afghanistan and South Africa at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba were rated as "unsatisfactory".

Almost two months after the T20 World Cup's conclusion, the ICC published its evaluation of the tournament pitches. Of the 52 pitches used, three received an 'unsatisfactory' rating, 31 were deemed 'satisfactory', and only 18 were rated as 'very good'.

Two of the 'unsatisfactory' ratings were for pitches at Nassau County International Stadium. In these matches, Sri Lanka were dismissed for just 77 runs against South Africa, and Ireland were all out for 96 against India. During the latter game, which took place two days later, India captain Rohit Sharma was injured in the upper arm and had to retire hurt, while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was also struck.

The pitches for both games faced significant criticism from the cricketing community, and the ICC later conceded that they were below standard. Some remedial work was carried out before the high-profile match between India and Pakistan at the same venue. The pitch used for the 8 June game, where India defended a total of 119 against Pakistan's 113 for seven, was rated as "satisfactory".

However, the pitch that faced the most criticism was the one used for the historic semifinal between Afghanistan and South Africa. Afghanistan, having made a remarkable run to the semifinals for the first time in an ICC tournament, were dismissed for just 56 runs, with no batter scoring more than 10 runs or facing more than 13 deliveries. South Africa chased down the target in 8.5 overs, losing just one wicket.

Following the match, Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott commented: "...That's not the pitch that you want to have a match, a semi-final of a World Cup, on plain and simple. It should be a fair contest. I'm not saying it should be flat completely with no spin and no seam movement, but I'm saying you shouldn't have batsmen worrying about going forward and the ball flying over their head. You should be confident in your foot movement and being able to hit through the line or use your skills."