The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the Rawalpindi pitch ‘below average’ following the unsatisfactory draw in the first Test match between Pakistan and Australia. Aussies are on their tour of Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. Hence, the historic tour gathered mass viewership, but the Rawalpindi Test ending with a draw has disappointed fans across the world.
The pitch dominated batters, and bowlers badly struggled. According to ICC laws, a pitch is known good for a Test match if it has equal offers for the batters and the bowlers. However, the Rawalpindi pitch saw only 14 wickets taken overall, whereas, 1187 runs were scored. All five days were consumed during Pak vs Aus first Test, and yet, no results were obtained.
The men in green, on batting first, added 476 runs and declared. The Pat Cummins’ bowlers were able to gather 4 scalps only. Later, they failed to develop any lead in the second inning falling wholly on 459. Pakistan continued totaling further lead on the match’s fourth Day which was dragged to the final day, however, with no time left an the final inning yet to be battled, the match, as expected, drew.
Rawalpindi stadium saved from the ban, gets one negative point
Under the ICC laws, if a pitch gets five negative points, the stadium will be banned for an year from hosting international matches. The ICC rates a pitch in following categories; Very Good, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor, and Unfit. Since the match referee has termed the Rawalpindi pitch below average, it is saved from getting more than one negative point. It must be noted three negative points are given if a pitch is rated poor and unfit.
“The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days and that there has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower. The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners as the match progressed. In my view, this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball. Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines I rate this pitch as below average,” said referee Ranjan Madugalle as quoted by Cricbuzz.
It must be noted the second Test match of the Pak vs Aus series is set to be played from 14th to 18th March. Out of three-match Test series, the teams are down and dusted with the opener. The red-ball series will follow as many ODIs, and the one-off T20I played across major Pakistani stadiums.
