'Not ideal for T20 cricket' - Irfan Pathan on New York pitch after low-scoring Sri Lanka vs South Africa encounter

The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, the venue slated to host the eagerly-awaited India-Pakistan clash on June 9, 2024, inaugurated its first-ever T20I on June 3 with a Group A showdown between Sri Lanka and South Africa. Given the illustrious batting lineups of both teams and the nature of the 20-over format, there was considerable anticipation surrounding this contest. Many expected a high-scoring affair, perhaps not quite on the scale of the majority of IPL 2024 matches, but certainly approaching that level of excitement and spectacle.

Contrary to expectations, the match unfolded in a dramatically different manner. The Sri Lankans, having been inserted to bat by the Proteas, found themselves utterly perplexed and could only muster 24 runs during the powerplay, despite losing just one wicket—that of Pathum Nissanka in the fourth over. The remaining batters fared no better in accelerating the innings. Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis, along with No. 3 Kamindu Mendis collectively managed a mere 30 runs off 45 deliveries.

The drop-in pitch, with its unpredictable bounce, made it exceedingly difficult for batters to settle in and build momentum. Furthermore, the sluggish outfield exacerbated their woes, with even well-timed shots struggling to reach the boundary. A couple of maximums from Angelo Mathews and a six from the bat of Dasun Shanaka lent some semblance of respectability to the score, but Sri Lanka ultimately collapsed for a paltry 77 runs in 19.1 overs. Anrich Nortje, coming in as the third-change bowler, emerged as the standout performer for South Africa, claiming career-best figures of 4/7 in his quota.

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Cricketer-turned-commentator and World Cup winner of the inaugural edition of the marquee event, Irfan Pathan, took to X after the conclusion of the first innings to voice his discontent with the pitch in New York, deeming it entirely unsuitable for T20 cricket in any conceivable way.

Not an ideal pitch for t20 cricket.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 3, 2024

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It wasn't only Sri Lanka that bore the brunt; even the South Africans encountered significant adversities as they navigated their way to a six-wicket victory. Among the notable strugglers were Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, and Heinrich Klaasen. Collectively, they faced 77 deliveries during the run-chase but managed to accumulate a mere 16 runs in boundaries.