The Twenty20 World Cup organisers have acknowledged issues with the pitch at the Nassau County stadium in New York after concerns were raised about its safety during India's match against Ireland. India captain Rohit Sharma retired hurt after being struck on the shoulder by a ball, and there were instances of inconsistent bounce throughout the game.
The pitch conditions have raised concerns, especially with the high-profile match between India and Pakistan scheduled for Sunday. Both teams possess quick bowlers, and there are fears of potential injuries if the pitch remains unpredictable.
In addition to the pitch problems, there have been complaints about overpriced tickets and difficulties in accessing the venue via public transport. Despite a significant Indian population in the US, the Ireland game failed to sell out.
India has reportedly raised concerns with the International Cricket Council (ICC), but there are no plans to relocate matches away from the Nassau County stadium. A new pitch has been prepared for the India-Pakistan match, but the spotlight will be on the ground's suitability for hosting international cricket.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan and Andy Flower have criticised the pitch, with Flower stating that it borders on being dangerous. In response to the criticism, the ICC and T20 Inc, the organising company, issued a joint statement acknowledging the pitch's inconsistencies and assuring that efforts are being made to improve the playing surfaces for the remaining matches.