BCCI faces accusations of pitch switching in World Cup 2023. BCCI is facing accusations of violating International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations by allegedly switching pitches for the World Cup 2023 semi-final and the Pakistan-India match.
According to a Daily Mail Sport report, there is speculation that India might change the pitch again if they reach the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad, with the decision purportedly aimed at favoring India’s spinners during the knockout match.
The ICC’s consultant, Andy Atkinson, is responsible for overseeing pitch preparation at ICC events, and an agreement is typically made in advance with the home board regarding which numbered strips on the square will be used for each match.
However, it is claimed that this agreement was not honored during the critical phase of the tournament.
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Originally, a completely new surface was supposed to be used for the semi-final, but a WhatsApp message circulated on Tuesday to BCCI and ICC officials revealed that pitch No. 6, where several teams had already played matches, would be used instead.
Allegedly, Atkinson was informed that the initially designated pitch could not be used due to an unspecified problem.
Concerns have also been raised about the pitch preparation for the final, prompting Atkinson to travel to Ahmedabad last Friday due to frustration over how the matter was being handled.
Asc BCCI faces accusations of pitch switching in World Cup 2023, additionally, it has been disclosed that the pitch for the highly anticipated World Cup clash between Pakistan and India was also changed. For the latest and most accurate information on this matter, it is advisable to refer to current news sources and official statements from the ICC and BCCI.
“It has transpired that while the tournament’s opening game, between England and New Zealand, had taken place on the pre-agreed pitch No 6, none of the next three matches conformed to the schedule, with Atkinson claiming in an email to his bosses that the changes had been made ‘without proper notice or forewarning’,” the report added.
“The matter was complicated by the fact that he was told by the ICC’s senior events manager at the venue that the India v Pakistan game there on October 14 took place on pitch No 7, as per the schedule, when it actually took place on pitch No 5.
“Atkinson’s recommendation is that the final, too, should be played on pitch No 5, which has been used only once, though he learned last week that pitch No 6 – which has been used twice – could get the nod, again bringing India’s spinners into play.”
The BCCI said the changes to the pitch were made by the Gujarat Cricket Association. However, the GCA claimed they had been given instructions by the BCCI after receiving input from the Indian team management.
“As a result of these actions, one must speculate if this will be the first ever ICC CWC [cricket World Cup] final to have a pitch that has been specifically chosen and prepared to their stipulation at the request of the team management and/or the hierarchy of the home nation board,” Atkinson said in an email.
“Or will it be selected or prepared without favoritism for either of the sides competing in the match in the usual manner, and unquestionably because it is the usual pitch for the occasion?” he added.
“The ICC independent pitch consultant works with the host and venues on their proposed pitch allocations and this process is ongoing throughout an event of this length and nature,” a BCCI spokesperson said.
