Three out of the four matches that were scheduled to be played at Lauderhill, Florida, so far, have been abandoned due to rain and because the conditions at the ground were not suitable for playing.
Sri Lanka vs Nepal, India vs Canada, and USA vs Ireland are the three matches that have been cancelled in the tournament so far. Pakistan are set to play Ireland in the next match at this ground on Sunday, July 16, 2024.
These matches if played, could have been crucial for teams like Nepal, USA and Pakistan's chances of qualification to the Super 8 stages.
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Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for hosting matches in such venues where they are not able to maintain the good condition of the outfields after rain interruptions.
What did Sunil Gavaskar say to the ICC about outfield conditions during T20 World Cup?
Following the India vs Canada match, which was abandoned due to rain and damp outfield, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar had a request, criticizing the game's covering body, ICC.
It was the third consecutive match that was cancelled at Lauderhill, Florida, in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 - Sri Lanka vs Nepal on Tuesday, USA vs Ireland on Friday, and India vs Canada on Saturday.
Sunil Gavaskar was speaking on Star Sports during the India vs Canada match telecast, when he said:
"Request To ICC, that it should not host the matches where there are no covers to cover the entire ground. You just can't cover the pitch and let the other parts of the ground get wet. So many people were waiting to see top stars in action, but they were denied. This should not be the case," Gavaskar said.
"It's something that the ICC needs to do. All the ground organisations have to have covers that cover the entire ground," the Indian legend added.
"This business of covering only the square everybody has got money now. You can't give the excuse that you don't have money for covers. However, good your ground drainage system is, you have covers, the grounds will dry faster. People will get to see some cricket. It's so important for that important. We saw all those guys come from Tampa, Texas. They have travelled long. Here in America, where do they get to see so many top-class players? Give them the opportunity. So get the covers for the entire ground. Everybody can do that."
Even former England captain, Michael Vaughan, expressed a similar opinion to the Indian legend, when he was tuning in to the England-Namibia game, which was also delayed due to rain at Antigua.
He suggested that the ICC should make better use of its funds and cover the entire ground to prevent rain from affecting the outfield, thereby reducing the delay to start the play again.
How we don’t have more covers to cover all the ground is beyond me .. all the money in the game yet we still get games called off for wet outfields !!!! #T20WorldCup #USA
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 15, 2024
Earlier, Pakistan were knocked out of the tournament after the USA vs Ireland at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida was washed out. India and USA qualified for the Super 8 from Group A instead.
Pakistan, who have already been eliminated from the World Cup, will play their final group stage game against Ireland at the same venue on Sunday, July 16, 2024.
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