Karachi: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch, where the first Test took place between Pakistan And Australia Tuesday ended in a similar draw, with the match officially rated “below average” by the referee and one demerit point.
1,187 runs were scored in the Test for the loss of just 14 wickets as the bowlers worked hard and the batsmen dominated the lifeless flat track.
“The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days,” match referee Ranjan Madugalle said in his report.
“There is no drop other than the bounce is slightly lower. In my view, it does not represent an equal competition between bat and ball.”
Madugalle said: “Keeping in mind ICC Guidelines I consider this pitch to be below average.”
Fans and commentators said the lifeless pitch spoiled Australia’s first Test in Pakistan for 24 years, as the team had previously refused to tour on security grounds.
Under ICC rules, demerit points remain active for a period of five years and if a venue collects five it is suspended from hosting international cricket for one year.
Second Test in a three-match series begins Karachi on Saturday.
1,187 runs were scored in the Test for the loss of just 14 wickets as the bowlers worked hard and the batsmen dominated the lifeless flat track.
“The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days,” match referee Ranjan Madugalle said in his report.
“There is no drop other than the bounce is slightly lower. In my view, it does not represent an equal competition between bat and ball.”
Madugalle said: “Keeping in mind ICC Guidelines I consider this pitch to be below average.”
Fans and commentators said the lifeless pitch spoiled Australia’s first Test in Pakistan for 24 years, as the team had previously refused to tour on security grounds.
Under ICC rules, demerit points remain active for a period of five years and if a venue collects five it is suspended from hosting international cricket for one year.
Second Test in a three-match series begins Karachi on Saturday.