The pitch used for the historic first Test between Pakistan and Australia right here has obtained a “below average” score from the International Cricket Council with match referee Ranjan Madugalle on Thursday stating that the floor did not “represent an even contest between bat and ball” .
Pakistan’s first house Test towards Australia in 24 years led to a tame draw on Tuesday with the hosts posting 476/4 declared and 252 for no loss of their two innings, and the guests responding with 449 all out — a complete of 1187 runs for the autumn of simply 14 wickets over 5 days.
Following Madugalle’s commentary, the venue obtained one demerit level underneath the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
“The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days and that there has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower,” Madugalle mentioned in an ICC assertion.
“The pitch didn’t have an excessive amount of tempo and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners because the match progressed. In my view this doesn’t signify a fair contest between bat and ball.
“Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines I rate this pitch as below average.” According to the revised ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, one demerit level is awarded to venues whose pitches are rated under common by match referees, whereas three and 5 demerit factors are awarded to venues whose pitches are marked as poor and unfit respectively.
The batters made merry with Imam-ul-Haq notching up twin centuries, whereas Azhar Ali and Abdullah Shafique scored a ton every.
The Pindi pitch obtained flak from all quarters with Australia opener David Warner saying that he hoped for an improved floor within the second Test of the three-match collection in Karachi that begins on Saturday.
However, Imam-ul-Haq dismissed the criticism surrounding the Pindi pitch, insisting that it was “same” for each the groups.
“I didn’t tell the curator to make a pitch according to me, nor is he my relative. It was the same for Australia, yet we got their 10 wickets and none of them managed to score 100. I didn’t ask for the pitch so that I can score a hundred in each innings,” he mentioned.
Iman mentioned being the hosts, Pakistan had been merely taking part in to their strengths.
“A draw is something nobody wants to see. Obviously when it’s a five-day Test everyone anticipates for a result. But when we go to Australian conditions, they don’t make pitches consulting us but make it according to their will so I think we should see our strength and should live up to our strength,” he mentioned.
“…I think the Rawalpindi Test was played well as we managed to get all 10 wickets. Unfortunately 70 overs were not played out due to bad light and rain but had those overs been bowled the result could have been different because we intended to make them bat again.”
Australia had been touring Pakistan for the primary time since 1998, having beforehand refused to go to the nation over safety fears.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
