Pakistan have been hit with a double punishment by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being found guilty of maintaining a slow over rate in the third and final Test against England.
The setback comes as Pakistan return home after suffering a 3-0 series whitewash in England.
Pakistan were found to have bowled 11 overs fewer than the required target during the Edgbaston Test, which England won by eight wickets.
As a result, Pakistan have been fined 50% of their match fees and docked 11 points in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
50% Fine and 11-Point Deduction
The sanctions were imposed by Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees following charges brought by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Allahudien Paleker and fourth official Russell Warren.
The punishment has further damaged Pakistan’s position in the WTC standings. They now sit ninth with a points percentage of 4.63.
Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined 5% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl within the required time. The maximum penalty is capped at 50% of the match fee.
In addition, Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions stipulates that a team loses one WTC point for every over it falls short of the required rate.
Pakistan’s 11-over shortfall therefore resulted in an 11-point deduction.
Sri Lanka Next on Pakistan’s WTC Schedule
Pakistan’s next World Test Championship assignment is scheduled for November.
They will host Sri Lanka in a two-Test series, with matches set to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
After a disappointing tour of England, Pakistan will now look to rebuild their campaign and recover some ground in the WTC standings on home soil.
