The Rawalpindi pitch has been under criticism for its poor nature since the results of the first Test match between Pakistan and Australia saw a draw. Not only the cricket experts and the fans, but the participants of the series themselves are talking about the pitch. Steve Smith, the Australian batter named the pitch as ‘dead’. Similarly, hundreds of negative comments in regards are coming from every corner of the world which at times, can be alarming for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Rawalpindi ground.
What will happen if ICC terms Rawalpindi pitch ‘poor’
The PCB is afraid that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will rate the Rawalpindi pitch ‘poor’. Since there are multiple demises bound with this term ‘poor’ after a pitch, the PCB would never be wanting. According to ICC laws, if a pitch is rated ‘poor’ for a Test match, the specific ground will get three negative points. And, if a stadium gets five adverse points, it will be banned from hosting international matches for a year.
The cricket has returned after so many years in Pakistan and Rawalpindi, being one of the iconic grounds in the nation, the PCB will never want to lose the delights with minimum ready-to-play venues available. Under the ICC Rules, the Test pitch should be equally beneficial for the batsmen and the bowlers. But, the Rawalpindi pitch, on all days, was seen favouring the batters with no happiness for the bowlers.
In five days, the bowlers were able to pluck 14 wickets whereas, a total of 1128 runs were slammed. Both teams showed excellency whilst batting. Pakistan, on batting first, added 476 runs that did not come that easily with Aussies bowling in action. Although they failed to pick scalps more than four but did not let Pakistani batters score freely. Babar Azam declared on 476 but Australians departed wholly on 459 failing to add a lead. The men in green continued developing further lead, however, with no time available and the match dragged to the last day, there was a draw as expected.
The next match is set to be staged at the National Stadium Karachi from 14th to 18th March. On the historic Australia tour of Pakistan, the teams have been scheduled to play a three-match Test series, as many ODIs, and the only T20I. It must be noted Australia are in Pakistan for the first time in 24 years since their last visit was back in 1998.
