The pitch for the India-Pakistan 2024 T20 World Cup game in New York has escaped the “unsatisfactory” rating, with the ICC terming both the pitch and the outfield as “satisfactory”.
The highly-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in New York on June 9 this year ended up anti-climactically, with India emerging victorious in the low-scoring thriller. After being bowled out for 119, Pakistan managed only 113-7 in their 20 overs, with the defeat knocking out Babar Azam’s side.
The drop-in pitches at the Nassau County Ground in New York were under the scanner throughout the competition, with the uneven bounce often troubling, and even injuring, the players. During the Sri Lanka-South Africa clash, the first at the venue, Sri Lanka could only make 77 in 19.1 overs on an unusually slow wicket. The Proteas needed 16.2 overs to reach the target.
The ICC later issued a statement on the quality of the tracks at the venue following India’s clash with Ireland where Rohit Sharma had to retire hurt after a blow to his hand: “The ICC recognise that the pitches used so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted.”
On Tuesday (August 20), the ICC released the ratings for the pitches and the outfields for the T20 World Cup. While the track for the India-Ireland game was given an “unsatisfactory” rating, the wicket for the India-Pakistan clash was surprisingly termed “satisfactory”.
After every international match, the ICC receives a marking for the wicket and the outfields by the match referees. According to the ICC, “If a pitch or outfield is marked as substandard, the relevant Home Board and the venue are required to explain why the pitch and/or outfield performed below the required standard.
Also read: Pitch for historic Afghanistan-South Africa T20 World Cup semi-final rated 'unsatisfactory' by ICC
"A pitch or outfield is deemed to be substandard if it receives a rating of unsatisfactory or unfit. Sanctions may be applied by ICC to a venue that presents a substandard pitch or outfield for international cricket.”
48 runs needed from 48 balls, eight wickets remaining and a 92% chance of winning…
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 10, 2024
How did Pakistan manage to lose that game against India in New York?! 🤯#T20WorldCup #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/Vq6xayyLDt
New York pitches escape major sanctions
A total of eight games were played in New York, with the first two matches, between Sri Lanka-South Africa and India-Ireland getting “unsatisfactory” ratings. All other games escaped with a “satisfactory” rating by the ICC.
The highest score in New York during the competition was 137-7, which Canada made against Ireland.
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