The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated three pitches used during the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup as "unsatisfactory." The pitches in question include those used for the first two matches at New York's Nassau County Stadium and the semi-final between Afghanistan and South Africa at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba. The announcement comes nearly two months after India won the tournament by defeating South Africa in the final.

Afghanistan were all-out for just 56 runs in first semi-final of T20 WC 2024 in TaroubaThe Nassau County Stadium pitch faced significant criticism after Sri Lanka was bowled out for 77 runs against South Africa on June 3, and Ireland collapsed for 96 runs against India on June 5. The uneven bounce in the second game led to safety concerns, with India's captain Rohit Sharma retiring hurt after being struck on the upper arm by a bouncer from Josh Little. The ICC acknowledged that the pitches were substandard, partly due to the short preparation time and the high frequency of matches.

The semi-final pitch at the Brian Lara Academy also drew heavy criticism after Afghanistan was dismissed for just 56 runs by South Africa. Afghanistan’s coach Jonathan Trott expressed his frustration, stating that the pitch was unsuitable for such an important match.

The ICC rates pitches on a scale from "very good" to "unfit," and while these three pitches were rated "unsatisfactory," most others were deemed "satisfactory." The final match pitch at the Kensington Oval in Barbados was rated "very good." The ICC also assessed the outfields, with New York and Guyana receiving "satisfactory" ratings, while the others were rated "very good."

The ICC's evaluation highlights the challenges of pitch preparation, especially in new venues like New York. Ensuring high-quality playing surfaces is crucial for maintaining the sport's integrity and competitiveness.