Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium’s below average status revoked by ICC

• Rawalpindi Cricket stadium’s demerit points for ‘below average’ pitch.
• Pakistan Cricket Board appealed ICC decision.
• Pitch was rated “below average” during first Test match ealier.

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium‘s “below average” designation and the demerit points assessed after the “Pakistan versus. England Test” in December 2022 were both cancelled by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday.

The situation happened when the management committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is led by Najam Sethi, appealed the ICC ruling.

In an official statement, the ICC said: “Following an appeal by the Pakistan Cricket Board pursuant to the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the demerit point handed to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for a ‘below average’ pitch rating for the first match of the ICC World Test Championship series between Pakistan and England from 1 to 5 December last year has been rescinded.”

“There were several redeeming features — including the fact that a result was achieved following a compelling game, with 37 out of a possible 39 wickets being taken. As such, the appeal panel concluded that the wicket did not warrant the ‘below average’ rating,” it stated.

The ICC made the announcement of rescinding the demerit point on Monday. Taking to Twitter, the ICC stated: “Demerit point handed to the Rawalpindi pitch after the first #PAKvENG Test match has been rescinded.”

Andy Pycroft, the match referee, last month had rated the stadium’s pitch that was used for the first match of the ICC World Test Championship series between Pakistan and England as “below average” and the venue was then given one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

“It was a very flat pitch which gave almost no assistance to any type of bowler,” Pycroft was quoted as saying by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a press release.

“That was the main reason why batters scored very fast and both sides posted huge 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.”

The pitch received the same rating following Pakistan’s Test match with Australia in March 2022.

When a venue reaches five demerit points, it is barred from hosting any international cricket for a year. Demerit points are active for a rolling five-year period.

The PCB chairman at the time, Ramiz Raja, had described the wicket as disgraceful. Sethi, who had taken Raja’s place a few days after the Rawalpindi Test, went to the ICC and contested the judgement.

“We did write a strong letter to ICC on this. I am glad that the decision has come in our favour,” Sethi said after ICC accepted Pakistan’s appeal.

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