COLOMBO: ICC Chief Executive Dave Richardson on Saturday admitted that the strip used for the first semi-final between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was not “ideal” for T20 cricket but added that pitch preparation is a difficult task in the prevailing climatic conditions in the Island nation.

“Ideally, we need to ensure that a pitch doesn’t change its condition from one innings to next one. Yes, the pitch used in the first semi-final wasn’t an ideal wicket for T20 format as there was too much assistance to spinners,” former South African wicketkeeper Richardson admitted on the eve of the final between Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

“There was advantage for both the teams and Sri Lankan spinners took better advantage of the situation. Having said that, I spoke to the curator and he said that wicket was too dry to his liking.

“You have to accept that in this climate where it is so hot, to prepare a wicket is incredibly difficult,” Richardson said, sounding a bit defensive.

The CEO did admit that BCCI’s reluctance to accept the Decision Review System (DRS) is stopping them from introducing it uniformally but ruled out a chance in trying to force world’s richest cricket body into accepting technology.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram also criticised the pitch at the Premadasa Stadium.

The former all-rounder accused Sri Lanka of preparing a wicket that suited spinners and said the track was not conducive for Twent20 cricket.—Agencies