ISLAMABAD:According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Pitch Report and Outfield Monitoring Process, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch was rated as below average.
Match referee Ranjhan Madugalle explained the reason why the pitch was termed below average where the first Test match between Pakistan and Australia was played.
As per the revised policy of ICC pitch report and outfield monitoring process, one point is given to the pitch whose behavior is rated as below average by match referee, and three to five points were deducted because the venue was termed “poor and unfit” for international matches.
Madugalle stated in his report that there was no change in pitch behavior that did not help pace bowlers and spinners as well during the course of five days of test match.
“In my view this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball. Therefore, keeping in view the ICC guidelines I rate this pitch below average”, he reported.
Responding to that, Chairman Cricket Board Ramiz Raja said in his video message that PCB was striving hard to make good pitches in Pakistan that would take some time as when he assumed the charge of PCB, cricket season had just begun in Pakistan.
“We will redo 50 to 60 pitches across the country once the cricket season goes off as we are experimenting different techniques and bringing soil form Australia”, he added.