The pitch that will host the much-anticipated India v Pakistan contest on Sunday has come under severe criticism after it produced second low-scoring match on the bounce on Tuesday.

Andy Flower, former England and Multan Sultans coach, termed the pitch as “borderline dangerous” and Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, called it a “shocking surface” on X.

Ireland were bowled out for mere 96 as Indian pacers received excessive assistance from Nassau County International Stadium’s pitch. The pitch – under a tinge of grass – had more than usual pace and bounce and offered exaggerated seam movement. But, it was the uneven bounce, which saw some of the deliveries bouncing awkwardly from the length area and hit batters across both sides, that resulted in criticism from former cricketers.

Rohit Sharma retired hurt, albeit after completing his half-century, after a blow on his shoulder off Josh Little, and, Rishab Pant, playing his first international match since getting injured in a road accident two years ago, was hit on his forearm. Unlike Sharma, Pant completed the Indian run chase and hit the winning runs. Ireland’s Harry Tector was hit on his right thumb off an Arshdeep Singh’s ball that reared from the length area.

“I’ve got to say that is not a good surface to play an international match on,” Flower told ESPN cricinfo. “It is bordering on dangerous. You see the ball bouncing on a length both ways so skidding low occasion but in the main bouncing unusually high and striking people on thumb, gloves and helmet and making life very very difficult for any batsman.”

India will play Pakistan here on Sunday and with both sides boasting some of the best fast bowlers in the world, the batters in the two sides risk being hit.

“Shocking surface,“ Michael Vaughan posted on X. “Trying to sell the game in the States is great.. love it but for players to have to play on this sub standard surface in New York is unacceptable. You work so hard to make it to the WC [World Cup] then have to play on this.”

On what was the first international match at this venue on Monday, South Africa ripped apart Sri Lankan batting line-up as bowled them out for 77. The tricky nature of the pitch meant that South Africa had to work their way towards the target and could only win the contest in the 17th over after losing four wickets.

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis had labelled the pitch “spicy” on the occasion and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan called it “not an ideal” pitch for T20 cricket.