Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez expressed astonishment at the changes to the pitch in Chennai for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 on Friday.
The 42-year-old noted the disparity at Chennai's Chepauk pitch conditions during two games -India vs Australia and Bangladesh vs New Zealand.
In a picture shared on X (formerly Twitter), Hafeez shared screenshots of the Chennai pitches for these two different matches. The pitches exhibited marked differences, with more rough areas to assist spinners in the India vs. Australia game, which the hosts won by six wickets.
Hafeez also posted a video where he highlighted similarities in pitch conditions for the first two matches in Hyderabad, Delhi, and Dharamsala.
He now desires the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to offer a pitch similar to the one used in the opening World Cup game between England and New Zealand, which the latter won by nine wickets.
“At first, tomorrow the decision will be made whether the tournament is being organised by the ICC or the BCCI. Till now, there are three venues where two matches have been played – Hyderabad, Delhi, and Dharamsala," Hafeez said on a national sports channel.
"The pitch conditions were similar and it behaved similarly in both games. If the pitch is the same in Chennai, which was used for India vs Australia, then it’s understandable. But if there are slight changes, you can understand who is organising the tournament," Hafeez had said before the game between Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Hafeez emphasised there should be no influence of the hosts over the curation of pitches.
"There should not be any influence, it’s an ICC tournament. It has to run as per its curators and instructions. If tomorrow's pitch’s relevance is similar and the momentum is the same, it’s understandable. But if there’s a slight change like if it’s a batting track or different conditions, this is a big question mark and that’s my statement.”
It must be noted that India won against Australia in Chennai by six wickets where the pitch had support for spinners. But, the pitch used today for Bangladesh and New Zealand was completely different.
