The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revoked the demerit point awarded to the pitch at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium following an appeal by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against the original pitch rating. The ICC Appeal Panel has now overturned the decision and withdrawn the demerit point.
The pitch used for the ODI between Pakistan and Australia on June 4 had initially been rated unsatisfactory. According to the ICC Appeal Panel, there was no unusual unevenness or excessive turn on the pitch. As a result, Gaddafi Stadium’s pitch no longer has any demerit points. ICC Appeals Panel has overturned the demerit point awarded to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium after reviewing match footage, Match Referee reports and comments from the captains of the teams involved.
The demerit point had been imposed following an “Unsatisfactory” rating for the pitch used during the third men’s ODI between Pakistan and Australia on June 4. While the Appeals Panel found that the Match Referee had followed the ICC’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, it concluded that the surface did not show excessive unevenness or spin. As a result, the demerit point has been withdrawn. The Appeals Panel also reviewed two separate pitch ratings at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King City, Toronto.
The venue had received an “Unsatisfactory” rating for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match between the United States and the Netherlands on June 8. After reviewing the evidence, the panel determined that the condition of the pitch was consistent with a satisfactory surface and did not display excessive unevenness, seam movement or spin. The demerit point from that rating has therefore also been rescinded.
However, the three demerit points issued to the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground following an “Unfit” rating for the Canada-Netherlands match on June 16 will remain in place. The Appeals Panel determined that the condition of the pitch was dangerous and justified the “Unfit” classification. Following the decisions, Gaddafi Stadium has zero demerit points on its record, while the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground remains on three demerit points.