The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons during the early stages of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. 

The first two matches at the venue have been marred by unpredictable pitch behavior, drawing heavy criticism from players, coaches, and fans alike.

In a dramatic twist, the stadium's drop-in pitch has become a central talking point, with many highlighting the challenges posed by unexpected extra bounce, almost unplayable swing, and excessive seam movement. 

These conditions have significantly hampered run-making, leading to notably low scores. Sri Lanka and Ireland struggled to surpass the 100-run mark, posting totals of 77 and 96, respectively.

Addressing the growing controversy, the ICC released a statement on Thursday, acknowledging the concerns: “ICC recognizes that the pitches used so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted.”

“The world-class grounds team has been working hard since the conclusion of yesterday’s game to remedy the situation and deliver the best possible surfaces for the remaining matches.“

It is worth noting that the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place at the Nassau County International stadium on Sunday, June 9.