The surface in Rawalpindi Pitch, where the first Test between Pakistan and Australia was recently played. The pitch got assessed below average by match referee Ranjan Madugalle. The ICC’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process awarded it a demerit point.
Aussie players on the Rawalpindi pitch
It was a fairly mild field, according to Steven Smith. And Australia captain Pat Cummins noted it wasn’t a conventional Rawalpindi pitch. It was the one designed to neutralize Australia’s pace assault.
Ranjan Madugalle’s evaluation on Rawalpindi pitch
Madugalle gave this evaluation of the pitch that the pitch’s character hasn’t altered much over the last five days. Therefore there hasn’t been any deterioration except the bounce going slightly lower.
The surface didn’t have much pace or bounce for the seamers, and it didn’t help the spinners as the match proceeded. This, in his opinion, does not depict a fair match between bat and ball.
As a result, he ranks this pitch as below average in accordance with the ICC criteria.
ICC rating on the Rawalpindi pitch
The ICC assigns grades to pitches and outfields as very Good, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor, and Unfit. Each throw judged below average receives one demerit point. Meanwhile, pitches labeled poor and unsuitable receive three and five demerit points, respectively.
The demerit points are active for a five-year rolling period. And any site that earns five demerit points bars them from hosting international cricket for a period of 12 months.
If the total number of demerit points reaches 10, the venue will be barred from hosting international cricket for a period of 24 months.
Australia vs Pakistan – A thrilling match at Rawalpindi
The match, which marked Australia’s first international appearance in Pakistan since 1998, ended in a dreary draw. With only 14 wickets falling across three innings and 1187 runs produced in total. Pakistan declared at 476/4 after batting for 162 overs in the first innings.
The match ended in a tie after Australia batted for 459 runs in 140.1 overs and Pakistan batted for 252/0 in 77 overs in their second essay.
