Pakistan legend Sarfraz Nawaz alleges World Cup pitches have been tailor-made to favour India
Former Pakistan cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz, the legendary pacer who is credited for having discovered reverse swing and for leading his country to a maiden Test series victory over India in 1978-79, has claimed that the ICC has prepared pitches in the ongoing Cricket World Cup to favour the defending champions India.
Nawaz said on a TV channel show, “You look at the matches played so far in this World Cup – wherever India has played the pitches have been prepared to suit their strengths.”
The 66-year-old cricketer-turned-politician also claimed that Pakistan have been dealt a hard hand in the matter of pitches, and that the PCB should consider lodging an official complaint to investigate the matter.
PCB should lodge official complaint with ICC: Nawaz
"Look at today's match – the pitch was double paced and had lot of bounce which goes against our strengths”, said Nawaz, referring to Pakistan’s 20-run victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Pakistani fast bowlers Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz were the main architects behind Pakistan’s victory on the day, claiming figures of 4/30 and 4/45 respectively.
Not overly impressed however, Nawaz said, “I would ask the Pakistan Cricket Board to take up this issue (of pitch favouritism) with the ICC and find out what is going on.”
As proof of his claim, Nawaz said that the same Indian team had received drubbings in the Test series and ODI tri-series in the same country immediately before the World Cup. He also criticized ICC’s policy of making pitches which either completely favour batsmen, or completely favour bowlers.
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was on the same panel, declined to comment on the issue; only pointing out that it was good that Pakistan had won against Zimbabwe even on a challenging surface.