ICC wins, crowd loses as slow pitches plague Women’s T20 World Cup in UAE

The high-profile Women’s T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan saw a record-breaking crowd of 16,000 fans turn up at the Dubai International Stadium. Despite the searing heat, supporters of both teams flocked to the venue, hoping to witness an electrifying contest. Instead, they were left disappointed by yet another slow, unresponsive pitch that led to a low-scoring, underwhelming encounter. While the ICC celebrated the massive turnout, the fans were betrayed by the lack of excitement on offer due to the sluggish conditions.

The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, originally scheduled for Bangladesh but moved to the UAE due to political unrest, has been plagued by pitches that favour bowlers and stifle attacking play. With the majority of matches producing low totals and one-sided contests, the slow surfaces have taken away the thrill that T20 cricket is known for. While the ICC may have achieved its goal of drawing large crowds, it has failed to deliver on the field, leaving fans and players frustrated.

Women’s T20 World Cup marred by slow pitches

As the tournament progresses, a recurring theme is the struggle of teams to post competitive totals on sluggish surfaces. These pitches are proving difficult for batters to navigate, with scores frequently staying well below 120 runs. The slow pace and lack of bounce make stroke play difficult, which in turn affects the quality of the cricket being played.

While bowlers—particularly spinners—have thrived, the entertainment factor has suffered, frustrating fans who expect thrilling, high-scoring contests from a global tournament.

Bangladesh beat Scotland: low-scoring opener

In the tournament opener, Bangladesh edged out Scotland by 16 runs in a low-scoring affair. Bangladesh posted a meagre 119/7, and though Sarah Bryce (49*) tried to keep Scotland’s chase alive, her teammates struggled to score on the slow Sharjah pitch. This opening game set the tone for a tournament where batting fluency has been hard to come by.

Pakistan shock Sri Lanka in another slow game

The second match saw Pakistan pull off an upset against Sri Lanka, defending a modest total of 116 runs. Sri Lanka managed just 85/9 in response, their batters unable to adapt to the sluggish surface. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Fatima Sana, exploited the slow conditions to secure a 31-run win. Despite the upset, the match lacked excitement due to the slow scoring.

South Africa cruise but slow pitches persist

South Africa easily defeated West Indies by ten wickets in another one-sided contest. Chasing just 119 runs, the South African openers reached the target with minimal fuss. While it was a comprehensive win, the game was far from thrilling, as the slow pitch stifled any possibility of an exciting contest.

The Exception: India vs New Zealand

In what has been the only high-scoring match so far, New Zealand posted an imposing 160 against India, a rare total on these UAE surfaces. Sophie Devine’s 57* set up a big win for the Kiwis, but even this match was an anomaly. India, chasing 161, collapsed for 102, highlighting that despite one team managing a good score, the conditions still favoured bowlers.

Australia dominat but dreary win over Sri Lanka

Defending champions Australia comfortably chased down a modest target of 93 against Sri Lanka. Once again, Sri Lanka’s batters were unable to deal with the slow pitch, limping to 93/7 in their 20 overs. Australia’s Beth Mooney anchored the chase, ensuring her side won with ease, but the lack of contest due to the slow surface rendered the match uninspiring.

England spinners dominate Bangladesh

England’s spinners took control in their win over Bangladesh, defending a total of 118/7. The Bangladesh batters struggled to time their shots on the sluggish surface, managing just 97/7 in response. The dominance of spin and the slow run rate meant that, while England won by 21 runs, the game failed to capture the imagination of fans.

India overcome Pakistan in dull encounter

In the marquee match between India and Pakistan, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side chased down a modest target of 106 to secure a six-wicket win. While the game drew a record crowd, the slow pitch ensured it was far from a spectacle.

Pakistan’s Nida Dar top-scored with 28, but their innings never gained momentum. India’s chase, too, lacked fireworks, with players struggling to time the ball effectively.

Players frustrated by UAE Pitch conditions

Players, particularly Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu, have voiced frustration over the slow pitches in the UAE. After consecutive losses, Athapaththu lamented the lack of pace and bounce, noting that it has hindered her side’s ability to post competitive totals.

The UAE conditions, typically suited for spinners, have left batters struggling and matches dragging, making it difficult for teams to entertain the crowds.

Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: A missed opportunity

While the ICC has succeeded in drawing fans to the stadiums, particularly for big fixtures like India vs Pakistan, the slow pitches have been a major letdown. With the majority of games seeing low scores and uninspiring chases, the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup risks becoming a tournament remembered more for its sluggish surfaces than for thrilling cricket.

Fans deserve better, and unless the pitches improve, the excitement of T20 cricket might just be lost in the desert sands.