PAK vs AUS: Despite Criticisms From Pat Cummins And Steve Smith, PCB Feels Confident In The ICC's Rating For The Rawalpindi Pitch

Australia played one of their more forgettable Tests in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, when they put in 239 overs but only managed to pick only four wickets for 728 runs. Following a 17-run lead in the first innings, Pakistan compounded the visitors’ misery by reaching 252 for no loss on the fifth and final day, culminating in a draw. The home team’s openers, Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haque, both bowled undefeated tonnes.

The surface at the Rawalpindi venue has drawn criticism from both sides, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) believes it will not be rated ‘poor’ or ‘not up to standard’ for Test cricket by the ICC.

Smith, who finished with 78, characterized the pitch as “dead” on the fourth day.

“There’s not a lot of pace and bounce in it for the seamers, for sure,” Smith said.

According to reports, ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle may file a complaint with the global organisation for failing to meet Test cricket standards.

A PCB source, on the other hand, did not observe it.

“When a surface is declared unsafe and unsuited for Test cricket, the ICC takes note,” the insider stated.

Rawalpindi’s pitch is unsatisfactory for Pat Cummins and Steve Smith:

Although the Test between Pakistan and Australia finished in a high-scoring tie, visiting captain Pat Cummins and top batsman Steve Smith were not happy with the quality of the pitch.

“It’s obviously clear they’ve made an effort to counteract the pace bowling,” Cummins said of the pitch, which is “probably not a traditional surface you’d get here in Rawalpindi.”

A Test pitch, according to ICC criteria, should include seams, bounce, spin, and carry at various points to provide an equal contest for hitters and bowlers, with the bowlers somewhat favoured.

If the bowlers are unable to compete fairly with the bat and ball, the pitch is deemed bad.

The Wanderers Test pitch in South Africa was deemed bad in 2018 according to new ICC guidelines. This was on the opposite side of the Rawalpindi track and posed a threat to the batsman.

In their first innings, Pakistan scored 476 runs for the cost of only four wickets. Australia received a score of 459. In the second essay, Pakistan scored 252 runs for no loss without losing a wicket. The hitters averaged 84.09 runs per wicket, the most since the 2013 Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Test in Galle (84.89).

Also Read: Updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table After Pakistan vs Australia 1st Test