ICC rates Rawalpindi pitch as below average, given demerit point

ICC rated the pitch used for the first Test between Pakistan vs Australia at Rawalpindi as "below average", and the venue received a demerit point.

After a dull draw at Karachi, Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle rated the pitch where the bowlers found it difficult to pick wickets. 

"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," Madugalle stated in his match report. 

In ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, one demerit point is allocated to pitches rated below average by match referees. If a surface is declared poor and unfit, the venue will receive three and five demerit points. Demerit points will remain active for five years.

Also, if a venue accumulates five demerit points or more. In that case, it will be banned from hosting international cricket for a span of twelve months. If a venue earns ten or more demerit points, it will be suspended from staging international cricket for 24 months. 

Meanwhile, PCB chief Rameez Raja had a different take on the matter. Raja conceded that the pitch was prepared to nullify the Australian bowling attack while understanding the fans' frustration. 

"Just for the heck of it, we can't prepare a fast pitch or a bouncy pitch and put the game in Australia's lap ... It's important that when we play at home, we play to our strengths," Raja commented. 

The 2nd Test will kick off at Karachi on Saturday.