PAK vs AUS: PCB confident of ICC not rating Rawalpindi Test pitch as poor

The first Test match between Australia and Pakistan played at the Rawalpindi stadium ended as a draw. The pitch used for the game attracted a lot of criticism from the cricketing fraternity as it had nothing for the bowlers. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) does not think that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will rate it ‘poor’ or ‘not up to the mark’ for longest format of the game.

Australia batter Steve Smith who scored a 78 off 196 balls also described the Rawalpindi pitch as ‘dead’. As per the ICC guidelines, a Test wicket should have a seam, bounce, spin, and carry at several stages to make an equal contest for the batters and bowlers, slightly favoring the bowlers more.

A pitch is considered “poor” if it deprives the bowlers of a fair contest between bat and ball

As far as the match is concerned, a total of 1187 runs were scored while only 14 wickets fell over the course of five days. Winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam decided to have a bat first at a belter of a wicket. The decision was also proven right after the home side piled up 476/4 before declaring their innings. Senior batter Azhar Ali and opener Imam-ul-Haq registered a century under their name in the first innings.

In reply, Australia batters also made some hefty contributions with all top four batters scoring half centuries with Usman Khawaja missing his well deserved century by just three runs. Marnus Labuschagne also scored 90 runs off 158 balls.

Australia were eventually all-out for a score of 459 on the final day. The visitors didn’t even manage to take a single wicket in Pakistan’s second innings as both openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique stitched an opening partnership of 252 runs making their centuries in the process as well. The opening-duo even set a new record for the most runs scored by an opener pair in partnership against Australia.