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Curator expects ball to seam at Mohali

Mohali: The pitch at the PCA Stadium, which will host the eagerly-waited World Cup semifinal between India and Pakistan on Wednesday, will be batsman-friendly for most part of the match, but would assist seam bowlers under the floodlights.

“The ball will seam a bit under the lights,” Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) curator Daljeet Singh said.

He said it would be a typical Mohali wicket, with generally good pace and bounce, which is its basic nature. Daljeet Singh said the strip to be used in the game would be the same which was used for the Ireland-West Indies game on March 11.

India may be undefeated against Pakistan in World Cup history, but it has been beaten twice by the archrival at this venue. Daljeet Singh said as dew could be a factor they would stop watering the ground three days before the match.

“We have just started to observe how much dew falls during these days,” he said. “We have also cut the grass low so that minimum dew sticks to them. If need arises, we may use vetting agent APSA-80, which helps to minimise dew though it does not entirely eliminate it,” he added.

Asked if there were any instructions to have a particular type of wicket, he said, “We adhere to the general ICC guidelines that the pitch should generally be batsman-friendly.”

He also said ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson was expected to arrive here within a day or two.

“I have also ensured that the wicket is not over-prepared as it is the end of season. I have had light rollers used for the wicket,” he said. — PTI

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