BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan have been fined 50% of their match fees and deducted 11 points from the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third and final Test against England in Birmingham.
Pakistan were found to be 11 overs short of their required rate after time allowances were taken into account during the Edgbaston Test, which England won by eight wickets.
As a result, match referee Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Allahudien Palekar and fourth umpire Russell Warren.
Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players are fined 5% of their match fee for every over their team falls short, with the penalty capped at 50%. Pakistan therefore received the maximum possible fine.
In addition, Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions requires teams to lose one championship point for every over they fail to bowl within the allotted time. Pakistan consequently lost 11 points.
Another Blow After Troubled England Tour
The penalty adds to Pakistan’s problems following a difficult England tour, where the team endured major changes and inconsistent performances.
Pakistan lost the first two Tests before England completed a 3-0 series sweep with an eight-wicket victory in Birmingham. The tour also saw the Pakistan Cricket Board make significant changes to the squad and coaching setup during the series.
Seven players were sent home ahead of the third Test, while changes to the support staff added to the uncertainty surrounding the team. Pakistan also handed three players Test debuts in Birmingham as the reshaped side attempted to avoid a clean sweep.
The latest penalty now makes Pakistan’s position in the WTC table even more difficult. The team have slipped to ninth place with a points percentage of 4.63, further reducing their margin for error in the championship cycle.
Pakistan will next return to WTC action in November when they host Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
The team will need a stronger start to that series as it looks to recover from the setbacks of the England tour and improve its position in the WTC standings.
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