'Shouldn't happen in future' - Navjot Singh Sidhu blasts ICC for poor pitch in Afghanistan-South Africa semi-final

Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu was critical of the pitch used in the semi-final match between Afghanistan and South Africa at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.

The pitch had invariable bounce and excessive seam movement right throughout the match which saw Afghanistan getting bowled out for just 56 in the first innings. In reply, South Africa chased down the target with 9 wickets to spare.

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

Navjot Singh Sidhu blasts ICC for poor pitch in Afghanistan-South Africa semi-final

While speaking on Star Sports, Navjot Singh Sidhu slammed the pitch used for this game and compared it to the pitch in Nassau County, New York, where some matches of the group stages were played.

"This is not just one instance. I can understand if you get an odd wicket (because of the irregularity of the pitch). But if you see, some balls have jumped off a length and hit the batters. This happened in the Nassau County as well," Sidhu said

Sidhu reckoned that the pitch has affected this World Cup a lot and asked the ICC not to make the same mistake again.

"The pitch is the only factor that has marred this T20 World Cup. Whatever has happened has happened, but this should not happen in the future. Such pitches dent the thrill of a game of cricket," he added.

Afghanistan batters struggle for runs

The Afghanistan batters found it really tough to tackle the tall South African pacers, who extracted extra bounce from the good length and found lateral movement as well. Tall left-arm seamer Marco Jansen was almost unplayable in his opening spell. He picked up 3-16 and was also adjudged the Player of the Match.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi also starred with 3 wickets. Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje picked up 2 wickets each as Afghanistan batters were found wanting on a lively pitch.

Azmatullah Omarzai was the only Afghanistan batter to reach double-digit figures with 10 runs to his name. The tournament's highest run-scorer Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck.

The South African batters too found it difficult early on as Naveen-ul-Haq bowled a length ball and hit De Kock on the ribcage. Quinton de Kock was bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi. But skipper Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks batted with caution and took South Africa home comfortably in the end.

After the match, South Africa's captain Aiden Markram, and Afghanistan's head coach Jonathan Trott also criticized the pitch. Former England captain Michael Vaughan not only criticized the pitch but also the scheduling of events, blaming ICC for being biased towards India.

Meanwhile, the focus now shifts to the other semi-final to be held in Guyana, where India and England will be up against each other. All the eyes will be on the pitch, which is expected to be slow and aid the spinners more. The final of the T20 World Cup 2024 will be played on June 29 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.