T20 World Cup 2024: India vs Pakistan match to be relocated? ICC issues statement on 'dangerous' New York pitch

The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Thursday (June 6), issued a statement on the much-talked-about pitch used at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup so far.

The pitch has faced severe criticism from several quarters and has been deemed unfit as well as dangerous. The venue has hosted two games in the T20 World Cup so far and both the games were low-scoring as the teams batting first failed to touch the 100-run mark.

In the first game played at the venue, South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for just 77 runs. In reply, they needed more than 16 overs to chase down the total. In the second game at the Nassau County pitch, India bowled out Ireland for just 96 runs in 16 overs. In reply, India chased down the total in less than 13 overs although their batters did struggle to time the ball.

Both Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant copped blows while batting and the former had to retire hurt as well. Following the game between India and Ireland, the pitch came under severe scrutiny as several former players expressed their disappointment over the same.

ICC issues statement on Nassau County pitch:

With the same venue to host the mega clash between India and Pakistan later this week, the fans and experts have been expressing their concerns over the pitch.

The ICC has now issued a statement, admitting that the pitch has not really played 'played as consistently as we would have all wanted'. The governing body of the game also stated that the ground team is working hard to improve the situation.

"T20 Inc and the ICC recognise 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 have been working hard since the conclusion of yesterday's game to remedy the situation and deliver the best possible surface for the remaining matches," the ICC stated in the statement.

The venue will host a total of eight games in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The next game at the venue will be the one between Ireland and Canada on June 7.