PAK vs AUS | Rawalpindi pitch likely to be investigated by ICC

As it unfolded, the pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium played a spoilsport in the historic Test match between Pakistan and Australia after it failed to produce a fair competition between bat and ball.

A total of 925 runs were scored, while mere 11 wickets fell In the first four days of the ongoing Test match. An untraditional Pindi wicket brought down the intensity of the historic game as players and fans from both sides objected to the lack of help for the bowlers.

Australia batter Steve Smith termed the pitch as "benign" after scoring a 78-run knock on Day 3 of the Test. "It's pretty benign. There's not a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers, that's for sure," Smith said as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

Pakistan spinner Nauman Ali in a hushed tone offered criticism to the dead pitch and reflected on its different nature for the series opener.

"After yesterday’s bowling, we had a long discussion with Saqlain Mushtaq and the plan was to use the rough areas as there was no turn in the pitch. Normally in 'Pindi' the pitch is different due to weather and the pitch is not very dry and always helps the batsmen," Nauman mentioned.

Meanwhile, it is being widely reported that the pitch in question is likely to come under the scanner as the International Cricket Council (ICC) supposedly may rate it as 'poor'.

ICC Chief Referee Ranjan Madugalle is officiating the Test and will draw a judgement after the match ends. Notably, Ranjan had already rated the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground 'poor' in 2017.

Three demerit points are to be given in case a pitch is labelled as 'poor', while after a ground completes five demerit points, international cricket will not be allowed on the venue for 12 months.