"There is no excuse for a pitch like that" - Michael Vaughan slams surface used for 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final clashÂ
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was far from satisfied with the pitch used for the first semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup between South Africa and Afghanistan. The Proteas secured a comfortable nine-wicket win after bundling out the subcontinent side for a paltry 56 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Wednesday, June 26.
Trinidad had hosted several Group C affairs in the tournament, and low scores were a common trend throughout. However, a much better surface was expected due to the magnitude of the semi-final encounter. Instead, Afghanistan found themselves struggling against the South African pacers, and were reduced to 28-6 at one stage.
"That pitch was a shocker, absolute shocker. I mean, we have seen some poor pitches in New York. You can kind of understand in New York there were drop-in pitches, pop-up stadium, but there is no excuse for a pitch like that, that too for a semi-final," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.
I just don't understand how you go through a whole tournament, and then you kind of squash the most important games into a few days, with no preparation. There is no excuse for a pitch like that because they had plenty of time to prepare. It was not a good surface, not the pure pitch you want for a semi-final. South Africa won't be complaining because that is exactly the kind of pitch to play Afghanistan on," Vaughan added.
Afghanistan's 56 ended up being the lowest total posted by a team in T20 World Cup semi-final history.
"The pitch going up and down does play a role" - South Africa skipper Aiden Markram after T20 World Cup semi-final win
Proteas skipper Aiden Markram got to experience the pitch first hand when he walked out to bat during the run chase. Quinton de Kock's early dismissal led some to believe that a collapse might be in the making, but the skipper led from the front with a gritty 23-run knock to seal the win.
"It was quite tough. The pitch going up and down does play a role. We knew it was just about getting a partnership. We know we have had a lot of close games. They are people at home waking up early and we have given them a lot of grey hairs," Markram said during the post-match presentati.on
South Africa will face either India or England in the finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29