The three-match Test series between England and Pakistan featured a variety of decks that helped both spinners and batsmen. The flat pitch of the first Test match at Multan drew criticism, when England declared at 823/7 in response to Pakistan’s 556-run first innings tally. The pitch curators, however, utilized enormous fans and driers to make the track spin-friendly for the next Test, which was played at the same location. At the same time, they dried the deck and watered it more often.
Consequently, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, two Pakistani spinners, took all 20 English wickets in the second Test. When the series was tied at one, curators had to look to what had worked in Multan for the third Test at Rawalpindi. The same enormous fans and driers were shown in pictures, and Pakistan’s spinners once more took 20 wickets to create a series that will go down in history as a 2-1 victory.
Still a graveyard for bowlers! “It’s helping DESTROY Test cricket if this wicket doesn’t crumble and produce a result,” former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen tweeted during the first Test.
Amid all the commotion around the pitches, it is noteworthy that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has given all three of the surfaces used during the series the designation “satisfactory.” Pitches and outfields are rated by the ICC on a very good to unfit scale, which includes very excellent, satisfactory, unsatisfactory, and unsuitable.
The ICC’s rule regarding venue suspension and pitch rating
The location will receive one demerit point if the pitch receives an inadequate assessment. If the location receives an unsuitable rating, three demerit points will be awarded.
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If a venue receives five or more demerit points in a five-year period, for example, the ICC will suspend it for 12 months and prevent it from hosting any international matches.