Test Match Special analysts Steven Finn and Alex Hartley heavily criticised the "awful" pitch used for the T20 World Cup semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan in Trinidad.
Afghanistan, batting first at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, were bowled out for a mere 56 runs – the lowest score ever in a T20 World Cup semi-final. South Africa chased the target in 8.5 overs, losing only one wicket but enduring several uncomfortable moments due to the pitch's inconsistent bounce.
Former England seamer Steven Finn described the pitch as "ugly," noting on TMS that it deteriorated and failed to provide an entertaining spectacle for a T20 game. He suggested that such a pitch might have been fascinating on the fifth day of a Test match but was unsuitable for T20 cricket.
England World Cup winner Alex Hartley echoed Finn’s sentiments, stating that the pitch removed any semblance of an even contest, rendering batting almost impossible. She bluntly called it "an actual shambles."
Afghanistan's Struggles and Pitch Conditions
Playing in their first World Cup semi-final, Afghanistan recorded their lowest T20 total on a pitch characterised by erratic behaviour. One over from Azmatullah Omarzai epitomised this, with two deliveries staying low at ankle height and another bouncing unexpectedly from a length.
Cricviz data highlighted significant lateral movement for fast bowlers, with an average seam movement of 0.88°—the fourth-highest in the tournament. The venue ranked first for swing and seam conditions and second for turn for spinners.
Hartley highlighted that the pitch was the worst seen in the tournament. She remarked that while a game where both teams score around 130 could be competitive, this pitch was "horrific."
Uneven Contest and South Africa's Perspective
During South Africa's innings, Finn observed that no South African batter seemed certain of where the ball would come through, making the contest very uneven. Commentator Geoff Lemon suggested that a longer format match might have been abandoned due to the pitch conditions.
Markram’s Perspective
South Africa captain Aiden Markram acknowledged the tough batting conditions but expressed excitement about reaching the World Cup final. After losing seven semi-finals across T20 and one-day international cricket, South Africa has made it to their first men's final. They will face the winner of the second semi-final between India and England on Saturday in Barbados.
Markram stated that the team is not scared of the opportunity, viewing it as an exciting challenge. He highlighted the importance of keeping things simple to handle external pressures and maximise their chances of winning the trophy. He expressed his satisfaction that they have another chance to claim a title.