Michael Vaughan slams "absolute shocker" pitch for SA vs AFG T20 World Cup semifinal clash

Former England captain Michael Vaughan did not hold back in his criticism, labeling the pitch "a shocker" used for the first semifinal of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 between South Africa and Afghanistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago on June 27.

The quality of the pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium has sparked significant controversy, as the Afghanistan cricket team were bowled out for a mere 56 runs inside 12 overs and then the South Africa cricket team chased down the paltry target in the ninth over with nine wickets in hand.

Michael Vaughan slams "Shocker" pitch at Brian Lara Stadium for SA vs AFG ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Final

After South Africa qualified for the T20 World Cup 2024 finals, Vaughan said that the pitch for the SA vs AFG semifinal was substandard and compared the pitch unfavorably to those seen in New York's temporary cricket venues.

The cricket pundit noted that the pop-up pitches in New York might have some scope for poor pitches, but the established venue like the Brian Lara Stadium has no such excuse, and they also had enough time to prepare the pitches for the big clash.

The pitch conditions were harshly evident during the semifinal clash, where South Africa's pace attack dominated Afghanistan’s batting line-up, and Vaughan recalled how New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson's (3/0) remarkable performance at the same venue earlier highlighted the pitch's lack for T20 cricket.

Michael Vaughan said on Cricbuzz Live: “The pitch was a shocker. Absolute shocker. I mean, we've seen some poor pitches in New York. You can kind of understand New York dropping pitches. It's a pop-up stadium. There's no excuse for a pitch like that. The Brian Lara Stadium. We saw a wicket; it was where the quick bowler from New Zealand got four overs, three for none, at this same venue. Lockie Ferguson, I've got him now. So, it's not a great pitch.”

South Africa won't be complaining because...: Michael Vaughan

Furthermore, Vaughan expressed frustration with the tournament's scheduling, criticizing the decision to pack the crucial games into a short timeframe without proper preparation for the pitches. He argued that a tournament of this caliber must ensure that pitches are in top condition, especially for the semifinals and finals.

In the end, Vaughan said that South Africa will not complain about the poor conditions, as the pitch's nature played into their hands, giving them a significant advantage over Afghanistan and securing their spot in the final of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled for June 29 in Barbados.

Vaughan signed off by saying, “I just think everything around this week; I just don't understand how you go through a whole tournament, a World Cup, and then you kind of squash the most important games into a few days with no preparation. There's no excuse for a pitch because it's had plenty of time to prepare, and it's just not a great serve. It's not the pure pitch that you'd want for a semi-final, but South Africa won't be complaining because that's exactly the kind of pitch that you'd want to play Afghanistan on.”