Pakistan have been fined 50 per cent of their match fees and deducted 11 World Test Championship (WTC) points for slow over-rate during the third and final Test against England in Birmingham. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the sanctions on Monday after Pakistan were found to be 11 overs short of the required rate, even allowing for time allowances.
It adds to a miserable Test tour by Pakistan, who were whitewashed 3-0 by England. They were crushed by an innings of 103 by the hosts in the opening Test at Leeds, lost by 194 at Lord's in the second Test and suffered an eight-wicket defeat in the final match at Edgbaston.
Pakistan Slide Further In WTC Standings After 11-Point Penalty
“Pakistan have been hit with a pair of sanctions for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third and final ICC World Test Championship contest against England in Birmingham,” the ICC said in a statement.
The actions were taken by ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle and on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, as well as third umpire Allahudien Palekar and fourth umpire Russell Warren.
Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time. The maximum financial penalty, however, is capped at 50 per cent of the match fee.
Pakistan have therefore been handed the maximum possible fine after falling 11 overs short in Birmingham.
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The team has also been punished under Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions, which states that a team loses one WTC point for every over it falls short of the required rate. As a result, Pakistan have been docked 11 points from their WTC tally.
The deduction has further damaged Pakistan's position in the WTC standings. Following the penalty, they sit ninth with a points percentage of 4.63.
Pakistan's WTC campaign has been particularly disappointing, with just two victories and seven defeats from their nine Tests so far. The 3-0 defeat against England has left them with plenty of ground to make up if they are to revive their hopes in the current championship cycle.
Pakistan's next WTC assignment will come in November when they host Sri Lanka for a two-Test series. The matches are scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
With their WTC campaign already in serious trouble, Pakistan will need a strong response on home soil to prevent their position at the bottom of the standings from becoming even more difficult to recover from.