The pitch for the Rawalpindi Test is rated as ‘below ordinary’ by the ICC.

On Thursday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rated the Rawalpindi surface as ‘below ordinary,’ where the historic Pakistan-Australia series’ first Test was played.

Following this, the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process docked the venue one demerit point.

Ranjan Madugalle, the match referee for the Rawalpindi Test and a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, gave the pitch a rating of ‘pitch scarcely altered.’

“Over the period of five days, the quality of the pitch has scarcely altered and there has been no degradation other from the bounce going slightly lower,” he remarked.

“The surface didn’t have much pace or bounce for the seamers, and it didn’t help the spinners as the match proceeded.” This, in my opinion, is not a fair match between bat and ball. As a result, in accordance with ICC criteria, I rank this pitch as below average,” he said.

Match referees will give one demerit point to sites with below-average pitches, while three and five demerit points will be awarded to venues with bad and unfit pitches, respectively, according to the modified ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. Demerit points, on the other hand, will be valid for a five-year term.