Pakistan vs Australia: ICC rates Rawalpindi pitch ‘below average’

The Rawalpindi pitch has been rated ‘below average’ by ICC. The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has received one demerit point on Thursday by the Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel Match Referees. The first Test between Pakistan and Australia was held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The pitch was heavily criticized for ‘not having a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners as the match progressed.’

Earlier, ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle submitted their complaint to the ICC panel for failing to meet Test cricket standards. While it was speculated that the Rawalpindi pitch would be rated ‘poor’ or ‘not up to standard’ for Test cricket. However, Madugalle’s submission stated, “The character of the pitch hardly changed over five days and that there has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower.” The report further stated that the Rawalpindi pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners as the match progressed.

Although the first Test between Pakistan and Australia ended as a ‘dull-draw,’ the match saw apparent domination from the batters. At the same time, bowlers craved for wickets except for Pak’s Nauman Ali, the left-arm orthodox who claimed six wickets in the game. In their 1st innings, Pakistan scored 476 runs for only four wickets. Australia then accumulated a score of 459. Pakistan scored 252 runs for no loss in the second innings. Following a 17-run lead in the first innings, Pakistan compounded the visitors’ misery by reaching 252 for no loss on the fifth and final day, culminating in a draw.

According to ICC guidelines, a Test pitch should have seam, bounce, spin, and carry at different stages to make equal chances for the batters and bowlers. After the new ICC rules, the Wanderers Test pitch in South Africa was considered poor in 2018. That had played opposite of the Rawalpindi track and was dangerous for the batters. The Rawalpindi pitch received massive criticism from Australian skipper Pat Cummins who said, “Turning up to a pitch that’s probably not a traditional pitch you would get here in Rawalpindi. They tried to nullify Australia’s pace bowling.” Both the teams will not lock horns in the second Boxing-Day Test at National Stadium, Karachi from 12th March.