RAWALPINDI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Monday that both Pakistan and Bangladesh have been fined and docked World Test Championship (WTC) points due to slow over rates during the first Test match played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The Test saw Bangladesh secure a historic 10-wicket victory over Pakistan, marking their first-ever win against Pakistan in 14 Test encounters. Both teams were struggling on a flat Rawalpindi pitch.
According to the ICC’s statement, the host team, Pakistan, was found to be six overs short of the acceptable over rate, resulting in a deduction of six WTC points. Additionally, Pakistan’s players were fined 30 percent of their match fees as part of the penalty.
Bangladesh, who were three overs short, were docked three WTC points and fined 15 percent of their match fees.
The penalties have had significant implications for both teams in the WTC standings. Pakistan, following the defeat and the loss of points, has dropped to eighth place in the nine-team WTC table. Bangladesh, who are now ranked seventh, benefited from the victory but also felt the impact of the points deduction.
Similarly, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was fined 10 percent of his match fee and received a demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct. The ICC reported that Shakib had thrown the ball at Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan during the 33rd over of the second innings after Rizwan backed away.
The second Test match is scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi starting Friday.
