ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has overturned the demerit point awarded to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium after reviewing an appeal filed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the venue’s pitch rating.
The ICC Appeals Panel reviewed footage from the matches, reports submitted by the match referees and comments from the respective captains before reaching its decisions on three pitch-rating appeals filed by the PCB and Cricket Canada.
Gaddafi Stadium had received an “Unsatisfactory” rating following the third men’s ODI between Pakistan and Australia on June 4. The panel concluded that although the match referee had followed the ICC’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process guidelines, the playing surface did not show excessive unevenness or spin.
As a result, the demerit point awarded to the Lahore venue has been withdrawn, leaving Gaddafi Stadium with zero demerit points.
The panel also reviewed two ratings issued to the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King City, Toronto. The venue had been given an “Unsatisfactory” rating for the United States versus Netherlands match on June 8 and an “Unfit” rating for the Canada versus Netherlands fixture on June 16.
The demerit point related to the June 8 match was withdrawn after the panel determined that the pitch was consistent with a satisfactory playing surface and did not display excessive unevenness, seam movement or spin.
However, the three demerit points imposed following the “Unfit” rating for the June 16 match will remain in place. The panel determined that the condition of the pitch was dangerous and therefore justified the “Unfit” classification.
Following the rulings, Gaddafi Stadium has no demerit points on its record, while the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground remains on three.
