The first match of the T20 World Cup 2024 was played yesterday (June 3) between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the newly built stadium of New York, i.e. Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. After the first match itself, questions have been raised about the pitch. This pitch is not considered suitable for T20 cricket. This match played between SL vs SA was a very low scoring match.

In this match, South Africa first bowled out Sri Lanka for 77 runs. Enrique Norkhia took 4 wickets for the African team. Kusal Mendis was the top scorer for Sri Lanka, he scored 19 runs. South Africa won this match by 6 wickets, but the team had to bat for almost 16 overs to score 78 runs.

Tristan Stubbs, who is known for his stormy batting, scored 13 runs in 28 balls. This has raised questions on the pitch. Be it Sri Lankan batsmen or South African batsmen, everyone had to struggle a lot to score runs in this match. After the match ended, many questions are being raised about the pitch of Nassau International Stadium. Many cricket experts including fans are also not happy to see the pitch there.

After this match, former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that this pitch of Nassau is not ideal for T20 cricket. Veteran cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle posted an comment on this and wrote, “I am not sure this is the best introduction to cricket in a new country.” The drop-in pitch in New York has been brought from Adelaide, whose maintenance is the responsibility of Damian Hugh.

Former Team India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said that the New York pitch looks like a pitch from the 80s and the batsmen are from 2020. This is not a good union. Apart from this, many cricketers have given their opinion on this pitch.

Post of former cricketers regarding New York pitch

Not sure this is the best introduction to cricket in a new land……

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 3, 2024

You could have a different drop in pitch, maybe, but the outfield?

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 3, 2024

Pitch of the 80s & batters of the 2020s. Not a good union. #CricketInNY

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 3, 2024

Not an ideal pitch for t20 cricket.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 3, 2024