ICC breaks silence on media reports of pitch changes by BCCI in semifinals match
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Allegations of pitch tampering between India and New Zealand have surfaced in the first semi-final of the World Cup. In response, the International Cricket Council has stated its position.
It emphasized that pitch changes are common practice in such lengthy events. The media had previously reported that the Indian board altered the pitch at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in favor of the side hosting the semifinal.
British media also accused the ICC of allowing the Indian board to change the pitch for the crucial semi-final match without proper authorization. The ICC clarified that pitch changes are within the knowledge of the pitch consultant.
It's worth noting that changes to pitches before semi-finals are made based on the host country's recommendations. The International Cricket Council asserted that the pitch alteration was in line with the advice of the ICC's pitch consultant.
Prior positions from the BBC indicated that changes were made following suggestions from the Gujarat Cricket Association, while the association claimed they followed direct instructions from the ICC.
British media had earlier revealed that the host side selected a spinner-friendly pitch to assist their spinners, using pitch number 7, which hadn't been used before, for the semi-final.
