The ICC has announced its final decisions on three pitch rating appeals submitted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Canada. Notably, the ICC revoked the demerit point given the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and also reviewed two separate ratings for the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King City.
The respective cricket boards filed the appeals after demerit points were imposed during international matches in June. The ICC Appeals Panel reached its final decisions after reviewing live match footage, the Match Referees’ reports, and official post-match comments from the team captains.
ICC Announces Decision on Pitch Rating for Gaddafi Stadium
Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium initially received an “Unsatisfactory” rating after the third ODI between Pakistan and Australia on June 4. In the series decider, Pakistan bowled Australia out for 157 in 42 overs before completing a four-wicket win in a tricky chase.
The Match Referee sanctioned the pitch after the game. However, the ICC Appeals Panel reviewed the PCB’s appeal and withdrew the demerit point.
“The panel noted that while the guidelines of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process were followed by the Match Referee, the pitch did not demonstrate excessive unevenness or spin,” the ICC stated.
Following the successful appeal, Gaddafi Stadium has no demerit points on its official disciplinary record. The Lahore venue will face no immediate suspension risk under the ICC’s regulations for international matches.
ICC Withdraws Maple Leaf Cricket Ground Demerit Point After USA-Netherlands Match
The ICC Appeals Panel has also reviewed an “Unsatisfactory” rating given to the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King City, Toronto, following the Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match between the USA and the Netherlands on June 8.
The Netherlands scored 196/8 before bowling the USA out for 175 in 47.5 overs to secure a 21-run victory. After reviewing the match footage and Match Referee’s report, the Appeals Panel withdrew the demerit point awarded for the fixture.
“The condition of the surface was consistent with that of a satisfactory pitch and did not demonstrate excessive unevenness, seam movement or spin,” the ICC Appeals Panel stated.
The panel concluded that the pitch provided a fair contest between bat and ball. As a result, ICC successfully overturned the “Unsatisfactory” rating, reducing the venue's demerit points from four to three.
ICC Upholds Three Demerit Points for Maple Leaf Cricket Ground
The ICC Appeals Panel, however, upheld the three demerit points imposed on the same venue for a separate match between Canada and the Netherlands on June 16.
“The condition of the pitch was dangerous and thus consistent with that of an Unfit pitch,” the ICC panel stated.
The game was abandoned after just 4.1 overs, with the Netherlands at 15/1. Notably, the umpires stopped play after the pitch produced dangerous and unpredictable bounce that posed a risk to the batters.
An “Unfit” rating carries a three-demerit-point penalty under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. The penalty will therefore remain on the venue’s record.
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