DUBAI: International Cricket Council revoked its below average rating given to the Rawalpindi pitch after the first Test of the series between Pakistan and England, held in December last year.
“The decision was taken following an appeal from the Pakistan Cricket Board,” said ICC in a media release on Monday.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Chairman of the PCB’s Management Committee Najam Sethi also confirmed the development, saying the cricket council retracted its decision following PCB’s plea.
Last month, ICC rated the pitch used in the Rawalpindi Test below average and handed a demerit point for its bowling unfriendly nature.
“It was a very flat pitch which gave almost no assistance to any type of bowler. That was the main reason why batters scored very fast and both sides posted huge totals. The pitch hardly deteriorated during the course of the match.” said match referee Andy Pycroft in his findings after the match.
However, after reviewing the footage from the Test Match, the ICC appeal panel unanimously felt that the pitch had several “redeeming features” which included the fact that a result was possible and that 37 out of 39 wickets were taken.
“As a result, the appeal panel felt that the pitch did not deserve the “below average” rating that was handed earlier.” said ICC.
It is pertinent to mention here that England sealed a sensational 74-run win against Pakistan in the Rawalpindi Test, which witnessed a total of 1768 runs being scored throughout the course of five days.
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