ICC issues a severe ruling about the Rawalpindi pitch

ICC issues a severe ruling about the Rawalpindi pitch : ICC match referee Andy Pycroft issued a report on the Rawalpindi pitch used for the first Test match between Pakistan and England, Fans and experts both voiced harsh criticism of the pitch.

After receiving two demerit points for the pitch used in the Pakistan vs. England first Test match, Pakistan’s Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is now in danger of being barred from hosting future international matches. According to ICC, the pitch was below average. This was the second time in a row that the venue’s pitch was scrutinised. The previous “below-average” classification was given during the Test match against Australia in March of this year, which ended in a tie. Additional penalty points could mean disaster for the venue.

ICC said in a release,

“The venue has now received two demerit points from consecutive Tests under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process and could be in danger of being suspended from hosting any international cricket if more demerit points are lost. Demerit points remain active for a rolling five-year period and when a venue accumulates five demerit points it is suspended from staging any international cricket for a period of 12 months.”

The spectacular way in which England won the first Test by 74 runs was a result of their gutsy and audacious performance in every area. Many people thought the pitch would lead to a result, including PCB chairman Ramiz Raja.

On Tuesday, match official Andy Pycroft announced his conclusions.

“The surface was quite flat and provided almost no help to any bowler, Because of this, hitters scored quickly, and both teams recorded high totals. The pitch hardly deteriorated during the course of the match. Since there was very little in it for the bowlers, I found the pitch to be ‘below average’ as per the ICC guidelines.”

In the Test matches, England scored 921 runs at over 7 runs per over. They also made history by becoming the first team in a Test match to score 500+ runs on Day 1. When only 75 overs of the first day of play had been bowled, they did it. In the first innings, Pakistan’s response wasn’t too bad either. They finished with 579 and three of their batters hit hundreds. James Anderson and Ollie Pope received the ball to reverse in the final two innings of the second innings to nab a stunning victory. During the Test match, as many as seven batsmen reached three figures.

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