The ICC released its pitch ratings for the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup on Tuesday (August 20). The pitch in Trinidad for the semi-final between Afghanistan and South Africa was among those to receive a rating of 'unsatisfactory'.
Over a month on from the conclusion of the tournament, cricket's global governing body finally revealed the ratings provided by the match referee for each of the 52 games that took place in USA and West Indies in June.
Trinidad pitch for Afghanistan-South Africa semi-final rated 'unsatisfactory'
A total of three pitches received the rating of 'unsatisfactory'. Thirty-one were rated as 'satisfactory', and only eighteen managed to receive a rating of 'very good', as per the ICC's rating scale.
The pitch at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York received the 'unsatisfactory' rating for two separate matches – Sri Lanka vs South Africa and India vs Ireland. The other one was taken by the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, for the semi-final betweem South Africa and Afghanistan.
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It was a historic occasion for both sides. South Africa stood the chance to make the final of a men's World Cup for the first time ever, while Afghanistan had already defied the odds to make it to their first-ever semi-final of a World Cup.
Afghanistan chose to bat first in the match, but watched in horror as they were bowled out for 56. The top score in the innings was 10, and no batter survived more than 13 balls. South Africa's fast bowlers took 7-37 between them, before their batters chased down the total in 8.5 overs with nine wickets in hand.
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After the match, Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott did not mince his words, saying, "...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."
Trott was not the only one to criticise the surface, as former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower labelled it "dangerous", Tom Moody said it was "not good enough" and Steven Finn and Alex Hartley called it "awful". The pitch curator later admitted that irregular weather and improper implementation of the preparation programme were to blame for the state of the wicket, which became "too one-sided".
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