Rawalpindi pitch rated below average

The ICC has rated the Rawalpindi pitch for the first Test between Pakistan and Australia as below average.

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle rated it "below average", saying: "The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days and … there has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower.

"The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners as the match progressed."

There was 1,187 runs scored in the Test match for just a loss of 14 wickets.

The Pindi Cricket Stadium received one demerit point and if they receive five demerit points over five years then the venue would be banned for hosting international matches for 12-months.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja said they couldn't prepare fast and bouncy wickets that would play in Australia's hands. He believed there would be better contest between bat and ball in Karachi.

The Karachi Test, which is expected to favour spin, begins on Saturday.

IMAGE: FILE