Mumbai: The ICC has acknowledged the controversy surrounding the pitches used during the 2023 World Cup, admitting that five of the playing surfaces were subpar. This acknowledgement comes after several complaints from teams, particularly India, regarding unfair pitch conditions.
The most significant acknowledgment involves the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where two crucial matches were held: the India vs. Pakistan encounter on October 14th and the India vs. Australia final on November 19th. The ICC has labelled both pitches as “poor,” which supports India’s earlier concerns about their calibre.
The controversy began after India’s one-sided defeat to Pakistan in Ahmedabad, prompting questions about the pitch’s fairness. Similar concerns arose before the final, with both the Indian coach and captain expressing their dissatisfaction with the pitch.
The ICC’s report expands the pitch concerns beyond Ahmedabad. Three other venues have also received “poor” ratings:
- Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in Kolkata (India vs. South Africa)
- Second Test venue in Lucknow (India vs. England)
- Chennai ground (India vs. Australia)
This comprehensive recognition by the ICC validates the concerns raised by various teams, highlighting the need for stricter quality control measures for future tournaments. The report serves as a crucial step towards ensuring fair and consistent competition in cricket.
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