If the unexpected first-ever Test defeat to Bangladesh wasn’t enough, Pakistan have now lost as many as 6 World Test Championship (WTC) points. The International Cricket Council (ICC) penalized the Shan Masood-led side for maintaining a slow over rate in the series opener. Their opponents, Bangladesh also lost 3 WTC points due to the same offence.
Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Panel of Elite Match Referees imposed the sanction after Pakistan were ruled to be 6 overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration, while Bangladesh were 3 overs short.
According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 5 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalized 1 point for each over short.
The docked points left Pakistan in the bottom half of the WTC points table. With 16 points from 6 Tests and a PCT (percentage of points that decides the standings) of 35, they are currently at the 8th spot, only above the last-ranked West Indies.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, is one spot above with a PCT of 35. The table is led by India, who have 74 points from 9 Tests and a PCT of 68.52.
