The 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, held in the West Indies and the United States, was a tournament full of excitement, stellar performances, and unforgettable moments. However, not all aspects of the event received glowing praise. Among the 31 pitches rated 'satisfactory' and 18 surfaces deemed 'very good' by the International Cricket Council (ICC), three pitches were given an 'unsatisfactory' rating, leading to significant discussion and criticism within the cricketing community.

Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad

The first pitch to get a big, red 'unsatisfactory' stamp was the one at the Brian Lara Stadium for the South Africa vs. Afghanistan semifinal on June 26. This pitch wasn’t just a surface—it was a scandal in turf form, turning the game into a one-sided spectacle that had fans wondering if they’d accidentally tuned in to a different sport.

In this high-stakes knockout game, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. However, their decision backfired spectacularly as they were bundled out for a paltry 56 runs in just 11.5 overs. The pitch offered excessive assistance to the South African bowlers, particularly to the seamers, making batting an incredibly difficult task.

The match referee's report criticized the pitch for being underprepared, leading to an uneven contest where the batters had no chance to showcase their skills. The curator later admitted the pitch had not been adequately prepared, which was a major factor in its poor rating.

Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

The second pitch to receive an 'unsatisfactory' rating was at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, where South Africa faced Sri Lanka in Match 4 of the tournament. This surface, too, came under fire for being subpar, resulting in another low-scoring affair that left both teams struggling.

Chasing the small target, South Africa also found the going tough. Despite the low target, they labored to victory, taking 16.2 overs to reach 78 runs and losing four wickets in the process. Quinton de Kock top-scored with 20 off 27 balls, but the lack of pace and bounce on the pitch made stroke-making incredibly difficult.

The match referee’s report highlighted the sluggishness of the pitch as the primary reason for its 'unsatisfactory' rating. The surface offered no assistance to the batters, making it a bowler-dominated contest, which is not ideal for a T20 World Cup match that is supposed to entertain with high scores and big hits.

Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

The third pitch that failed to meet the standards was also at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, used for the India vs Ireland match in Match 8 of the World Cup. This pitch was particularly criticized for its unpredictability, especially concerning uneven bounce, which made it challenging for the batters to play their shots with confidence.

In reply, Indian captain Rohit Sharma led the charge with a well-crafted 52 off 37 balls. However, even he wasn't spared from the pitch’s quirks, as he was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the arm by a ball that reared up unexpectedly. India eventually chased down the target, but the match was far from the spectacle fans had hoped for.

The 'unsatisfactory' rating for this pitch was primarily due to its unpredictable behavior, which made batting a lottery. The match referee noted that the surface did not offer a fair contest between bat and ball, which is a fundamental requirement for any cricket pitch.