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[Saba Sports News] As India and New Zealand gear up for the high-stakes ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final on November 15 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, a significant controversy has emerged. Allegations suggest the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might have changed the designated pitch for the match.
The BCCI clarified their process, noting the ICC’s independent pitch consultant works with hosts on pitch selection, a routine for lengthy events. Despite this, reports from Mail Sport claim a last-minute switch from the original pitch, No. 7, to pitch No. 6, which has been used in two World Cup games already.
“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 stated.
Andy Atkinson, the ICC’s consultant, reportedly disagreed with the reported issue with pitch No. 7. There are also concerns about the pitch for the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Atkinson favored pitch No. 5 for the final, but there are indications pitch No. 6 might be chosen instead.
“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 which 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. Or will it be selected or prepared without favouritism for either of the sides competing in the match in the usual manner, and unquestionably because it is the usual pitch for the occasion?’ Atkinson warned in an email.
Confusion ensued over who authorized these changes, with the BCCI pointing to the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), who in turn cited instructions from the BCCI and requests from the Indian team management. This situation has raised questions about potential favoritism in pitch selection for the World Cup final, as Atkinson highlighted in an email, questioning if the final pitch would be chosen without bias.