Big blow for Pakistan after losing Perth Test to Australia, ICC punishes by docking two points in current WTC cycle

Having four pacers in the bowling lineup did not help Pakistan against Australia in the Perth Test as they lost the match and faced a two-point penalty for maintaining a slow over rate.

Arun Rawal

• Mon • 18 Dec 2023

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi during Perth Test (Getty Images)

Highlights:

Pakistan's win percentage slipped to 61.61 per cent after they were docked two points by ICC.Pakistan were two overs behind in the allotted time which led to the penalty.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has docked Pakistan two points on the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings for maintaining a slow over rate in the first Test of the three-Test series at Perth Stadium against Australia. After the time allowances were taken into consideration, the Shan Masood-led side was found to be two overs short of the target.

After a 360-run comprehensive loss to Pat Cummins' Australia in a Test that lasted four days, Pakistan slipped to the second position with a 66.67 win percentage. However, following the slow over rate penalty, their win percentage dropped from 66.67 to 61.11.

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In addition, the Pakistan team was also fined 10 per cent of their match fee. The sanctions were imposed by match referee Javagal Srinath. The charge was levelled by Joel Wilson, Richard Illingworth, Michael Gough, and fourth umpire Donovan Koch.

Masood who made his Test captaincy debut last week accepted the offence and the sanction following which there was no need for a formal hearing.

As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players get fined five per cent of their match fee for every over that exceeds the allotted time.

Also, Article 16.11.2 of ICC WTC states that a side will be docked one point each for every over that exceeds the allotted time.

Currently, India are placed at the top of the table with one win from two matches and a draw during their tour of the West Indies earlier this year. If Pakistan lose their next match, they will slip to the fifth position which is currently occupied by Australia with three wins and one draw from six Tests and a win percentage of 41.67. If Australia complete a clean sweep in the series, they will rise to the second position in the standings.

The next Test of the series will commence on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Before the second Test, Pakistan will play a two-day practice game against Victoria XI which was not part of the original schedule.

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