India-Pakistan T20 World Cup pitch in New York receives 'Satisfactory' rating from ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has labeled the pitch and outfield for the 2024 T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan in New York as "satisfactory."

This eagerly awaited contest, held on June 9, saw India narrowly defeat Pakistan in a low-scoring game. India was bowled out for 119, and in response, Pakistan managed only 113-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

The drop-in pitches at Nassau County Ground in New York faced scrutiny throughout the tournament due to their inconsistent bounce, which caused difficulties and injuries for players. The first match at this venue, between Sri Lanka and South Africa, highlighted these issues, as Sri Lanka was restricted to a mere 77 runs in 19.1 overs on an unusually slow wicket, and South Africa took 16.2 overs to chase down the target.

The ICC acknowledged the concerns regarding the pitches, especially after the India-Ireland game, where Indian captain Rohit Sharma had to retire hurt after sustaining a blow to his hand. The ICC released a statement expressing that the pitches at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium had not played as consistently as expected.

On August 20, the ICC released its official ratings for the pitches and outfields used in the T20 World Cup. While the pitch for the India-Ireland match was rated "unsatisfactory," the pitch for the India-Pakistan clash received a "satisfactory" rating, surprising many given the earlier concerns.

The ICC's process includes post-match evaluations by match referees, who provide ratings for both the wicket and outfield. If a pitch or outfield is deemed "substandard," the home board and venue must explain the reasons behind its poor performance. A rating of "unsatisfactory" or "unfit" can result in sanctions from the ICC.

During the T20 World Cup, a total of eight games were played in New York. The first two matches, featuring Sri Lanka-South Africa and India-Ireland, were given "unsatisfactory" ratings. However, the remaining games, including the India-Pakistan match, were rated as "satisfactory."