PCB is confident that the ICC will not rate the Rawalpindi Test pitch as poor. The pitch was describe as ‘dead’ by Australian batter Steven Smith.
The first Test match between AUS and PAK, held at the Rawalpindi stadium, ended in a tie. The pitch used for the game heavily criticize by the cricketing community because it provided no opportunity for bowlers. However, the PCB believes that the ICC will not rate it as “poor” or not up to standard. For the game’s longest format.
Australia’s Steve Smith, who hit 78 off 196 balls, described the Rawalpindi pitch as ‘dead.’ According to ICC guidelines, a Test wicket should have a seam, bounce, spin, and carry at various stages to provide an equal contest for batters and bowlers, with the bowlers slightly favored.
Rawalpindi Test pitch regarded “poor” if it denies the bowlers a fair competition between bat and ball.
In terms of the match, 1187 runs were score while only 14 wickets were taken over the course of five days. After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Babar Azam decided to bat first on a belter of a wicket. The decision was also proven correct when the home team amass 476/4 before declaring their innings. Azhar Ali, the senior batter, and Imam-ul-Haq, the opener, both scored centuries in the first innings.
In response, Australia’s batters made significant contributions. With all four top batters scoring half centuries and Usman Khawaja missing out on a well-deserve century by just three runs. Also Marnus Labuschagne scored 90 runs off 158 balls as well.
On the final day, Australia went all-out for a score of 459. The visitors failed to take a single wicket in Pakistan’s second innings. As both openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique stitched a 252-run opening partnership, scoring centuries in the process. Even against Australia, the opening pair set a new record for the most runs score by an opener pair in partnership.
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