The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitch used for the third ODI between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore “unsatisfactory” and handed the venue one demerit point under its Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
According to ICC, Match Referee Graeme La Brooy submitted the report after raising concerns shared by match officials and the captains of both sides.
“The pitch was slow and low and made scoring runs very difficult. It did not suit a One Day International game as batters had to spend more time to settle in. It helped spin very early in the match and continued the same way throughout,” La Brooy said.
The report has been forwarded to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has 14 days to appeal against the sanction. It is the first demerit point on record for Gaddafi Stadium.
In a separate ruling, the ICC also rated the pitch used for the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s in London as “unsatisfactory” handing the venue one demerit point as well. Match Referee Andy Pycroft said, “There was plenty of excessive seam movement throughout the Test and the ball also kept extremely low on several occasions. The bounce was variable throughout as 16 wickets fell on the first day and 17 on the second. There was simply an over-balance in favour of ball against bat caused by the pitch.”
Lord’s also carries no previous demerit points.
Under ICC rules, demerit points remain active for a rolling five-year period. A venue that accumulates six demerit points faces a 12-month ban from hosting international cricket, while reaching 12 demerit points results in a 24-month suspension.
