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Major relief for PCB: ICC removes demerit point for Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium pitch
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Appeals Panel has accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) appeal and revoked the demerit point imposed on Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. This demerit point had been issued after the match referee rated the pitch 'unsatisfactory' during the third ODI between Pakistan and Australia held in June.
Why did the ICC reverse the decision?
According to an ICC release, the Appeals Panel reached this decision after reviewing video footage of the match, the match referee's report, and comments from both team captains. The panel found no evidence of excessive uneven bounce or excessive spin on the pitch, leading to the cancellation of the demerit point.
- Low-scoring match: In this match, the Australian team was bowled out for 157 runs in 42 overs; in response, Pakistan secured a victory by 4 wickets.
- Match referee's reasoning: Match referee Graeme La Brooy had described the pitch as 'slow and low,' stating that it was not suited to the ODI format and offered excessive assistance to spinners right from the start.
- PCB's second success: This marks the second time the PCB has successfully challenged and overturned an ICC-imposed demerit point regarding a pitch. Previously, in December 2022, a demerit point assigned to the Rawalpindi Test pitch (during the series against England) was also removed following a PCB appeal.
Path cleared for upcoming matches
Gaddafi Stadium is set to host four matches of the triangular ODI series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England in October, as well as the second Test against Sri Lanka in November.
Meanwhile, the ICC has upheld the three demerit points awarded for the Canada versus Netherlands match at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in Toronto; however, it accepted an appeal regarding the USA versus Netherlands match at the same venue, deeming the pitch rating to be satisfactory.
