Former English cricketer Michael Vaughan has brutally slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the poor pitch conditions during the T20 World Cup 2024 semi final between South Africa and Afghanistan.
The match, held at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on June 27, saw South Africa securing a dominant nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan.
In a historic moment, South Africa advanced to their first-ever final in an ICC tournament, overcoming their semifinal setbacks in the past.
The Proteas’ formidable bowling attack dismantled Afghanistan’s batting lineup, dismissing them for just 56 runs in 11.5 overs. South Africa comfortably chased the target in mere 8.5 overs.
Michael Vaughan Slams ICC For substandard which in Trinidad for South Africa vs Afghanistan semi-final match
Afghanistan’s batsmen struggled significantly, finding themselves at a dismal 28-6 at one point in the match. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Michael Vaughan expressed his disappointment with the pitch quality, criticizing the officials for not providing a suitable surface for the crucial match.
“That pitch was a shocker, an absolute shocker. We’ve seen poor pitches in places like New York with drop-in pitches and temporary stadiums, but there’s no excuse for such a poor pitch in a semifinal. It’s baffling how a tournament can proceed smoothly only to have the most important matches compromised by inadequate preparation”, Vaughan stated.
“There was ample time to prepare a good surface, and this pitch fell short of expectations. South Africa won’t complain because it suited them against Afghanistan, but it’s not what you want for a semifinal,” he remarked.
