The ICC rates Rawalpindi pitch as ‘below average’. The pitch received one demerit point in the ICC’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
Cricket experts and fans appeared to be very interested in witnessing a historic match. Between Australia and Pakistan, where the first Test ended in an unsatisfactory draw. Many big names in the game spoke out against the Rawalpindi pitch. Which offer nothing to pacers while raining runs on batters all day. Similarly, match referee Ranjan Madugalle rated the same pitch as below average. Earning it one demerit point in the ICC’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
It should be note that only 14 wickets were taken during the first Test between Pakistan and Australia. Which took place after a gap of 24 years, while 1187 runs were score in three innings. Batting first, the hosts declare on 476/4 in the first innings, after which the visitors went on to score 459 runs, and Pakistan won the game by scoring 252/0 in 77 overs.
Also Visit: IND vs SL: Sri Lanka pacer Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the second Test.
Ranjan Madugalle: This is not a fair competition between bat and ball
“The pitch’s character hardly change over the course of five days, and there has been no deterioration other than the bounce getting slightly lower.” The pitch did not provide much pace or bounce for the seamers, nor did it help the spinners as the match progress. This, in my opinion, does not represent a fair contest between bat and ball. As a result, in accordance with the ICC guidelines, I rate this pitch as below average.” said referee Ranjan Madugalle, according to Cricbuzz.
While Australian ace Steve Smith describe the Rawalpindi pitch as “pretty benign,” Australian captain Pat Cummins denied it was a traditional Rawalpindi pitch. Pitch ratings from ICC are as follows: Very Good, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor, and Unfit. In the same process, pitches rated below average receive one demerit point, while poor and unfit pitches receive three and five demerits points, respectively.
Also Read: PAK vs AUS: In a tweet congratulating Mitchell Swepson, Steve Smith trolls himself.