Pakistan vs Australia: ICC charges Rawalpindi pitch under common after boring attract 1st Test

The International Cricket Council on Thursday rated the pitch used for the primary Test between Pakistan and Australia in Rawalpindi ‘under common’. The much-criticised pitch additionally earned a demerit level after the 2 groups, who met for the primary time in 24 years on Pakistan strong, performed out a boring draw.

Pakistan made 476/4 declared of their first innings earlier than bowling out Australia for 459 on the ultimate day. In response, Pakistan posted 252/0 as each openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq hitting 100 every. The bowlers toiled laborious on the Rawalpindi pitch with Australia’s omnipotent assault, managing simply 4 wickets regardless of bowling at Pakistan for shut to three days.

Match Referee Ranjan Madugale sanctioned the ranking and the demerit level, in response to the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

“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,” Madugale stated in an iCC assertion.

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja, in an sincere evaluation, conceded that the pitch used for the primary Test between Australia and Pakistan in Rawalpindi was not good commercial for Test cricket.

“A drawn match is never a good advertisement for Test cricket, and I totally understand that we need to get a result in five days these days, and we get it 90% [of the time], but I want to remind you of 2-3 things,” Raja stated in a video message posted on YouTube.

Raja additionally added that Pakistan had been cautious about not getting ready a pitch that might swimsuit Australia’s strengths and play into the arms of the guests.

WARNER CALLS FOR BETTER PITCH IN KARACHI

Speaking to the press in Karachi earlier within the day, Australia opener David Warner known as for a extra sporting pitch in Karachi which is able to host the 2nd Test, beginning March 12.

“From a batsman’s point of view, you can roll the same one as Islamabad, and hopefully I don’t get out, but that’s not…what we want from a cricketing point of view. You want something to…Obviously, it’s the break up, be something there for the spinners. A little bit more sort of, you know, it wasn’t turning as much.

“You noticed Nathan Lyon when he was hitting that tough, wasn’t doing something, was simply just about going straight on gradual off the wicket. It wasn’t any like that variable bounce, which you usually do see on worn wickets.

“And as I said before, we don’t know what we’re expecting here in Karachi until we rock up and see the wicket. But I just want a game were you can actually have create 20 chances. It’s something that’s going to be exciting and entertaining for the crowd,” Warner stated.