ICC rates all three pitches used for Pakistan vs England Test series as 'satisfactory'

The three-match Test series between Pakistan and England was a mix of decks which assisted batters and spinners alike. The first Test in Multan was criticised for its flat track where England declared at 823/7 responding to Pakistan’s first innings score of 556 runs. But for the subsequent Test which was held at the same venue, the pitch curators used giant fans and driers to convert the track into a spin friendly one. They also watered the deck more often and dried simultaneously.  

As a result, the second Test saw Pakistan spinners, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali claim all 20 English wickets. With the series poised on 1-1, the third Test in Rawalpindi made curators turn to what worked in Multan. Pictures of the same giant fans and driers resurfaced and Pakistan spinners again claimed 20 wickets to forge a memorable 2-1 series.

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"Still a bowlers graveyard! If this wicket doesn't crumble and produce a result, it's helping DESTROY Test cricket," former England cricketer, Kevin Pietersen tweeted during first Test.

As it stands out, amidst all the hullabaloo over the pitches, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has provided a “satisfactory” tag to all three surfaces used during the series. The ICC rates pitches and outfields for every international game on a scale of very good to unfit: very good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory and unfit.

ICC’s rule for rating pitches and suspension of venues

If the pitch obtains an unsatisfactory rating, one demerit point will be awarded to the venue. Given the venue gets unfit rating, three demerit points will be provided. For instance, if a venue gets five or more demerit points in a span of five years, the ICC will hand a 12-month suspension to the venue where no international games will be held.