The pitch issue in the Champions Trophy took a new twist on Sunday, with the organisers being accused of preparing a favourable strip for India at Mohali in Sunday's match.
After all, it was only a couple of days ago that Pakistan were shot out for a lowly 89 against South Africa on a bouncy, swinging pitch. Against New Zealand, they could just manage 223, and lost by 51 runs on one that was difficult to bat on.
It is Pakistan who are pointing the finger. They feel the pitch for the match against Australia on Sunday was loaded so much in favour of India. It is being believed across the border that curator Daljit Singh prepared a batting strip to negate Australia's fast bowling battery in the do-or-die match.
A source close to the Pakistan team said Younis Khan and his boys are angry about the type of pitches they were provided in Mohali. They feel the organisers were partial to the home team after what was dished out to them earlier in the tournament.
"They would let the ICC know in clear words about the quality of pitches provided to them in their tournament report," said the source.
Pakistan were outdone on a seamer-friendly wicket as the South African pacers ran riot. Makhaya Ntini was the key destroyer with five wickets.
"Why was a batting-friendly pitch prepared here [Sunday's match]. Why not a similar pitch to the last match?" he questioned.
When Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah was questioned on same issue, he replied: "We did not give out any instructions to the curator.
"I know the pitches for Pakistan's matches were hard to bat on. But sometimes you can get pitches where bowlers can be on top, and I think it's good for a change. It's a sport; sometimes even India will get that kind of pitches, so we can't complain," he added.
Even the curator felt the pitches were not much in favour of bowlers.
"The pitch is showing even bounce and I don't subscribe to those saying it has favoured all the way bowlers only," he said.
Whether the pitch was bowling-friendly or batting-friendly it did not matter too much on Sunday, as Australia registered a comprehensive six-wicket victory to storm into the semi-finals.
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