DUBAI – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitch at England’s Lord’s Cricket Ground and Pakistan’s Gaddafi Stadium as unsatisfactory. Both venues received one demerit point each.
The decision came after match officials reviewed recent international games. The ICC noted serious concerns about playing conditions at both grounds.
At Lord’s, the pitch used for the Test match between England and New Zealand showed unusual seam movement. It also had uneven bounce. The ICC reported that 33 wickets fell in just two days. This raised questions about pitch quality and balance between bat and ball.
In Pakistan, the Gaddafi Stadium pitch used for an ODI match was also criticized. Officials said the surface was slow and stayed low throughout the game. Batting conditions were difficult for both teams. Spinners got strong assistance from the beginning of the match. The ICC described the pitch as below international standards.
As a result, Gaddafi Stadium received one demerit point under ICC rules. The same penalty was given to Lord’s Cricket Ground. These points remain on record for five years.
The ICC has given both the Pakistan Cricket Board and the England and Wales Cricket Board 14 days to appeal the ruling. They may challenge the assessment if they choose to do so.
According to ICC regulations, venues that collect six demerit points can face suspension. Such venues may be banned from hosting international matches for one year. If a venue reaches 12 demerit points, it can face a two-year ban.
The ICC clarified that Gaddafi Stadium and Lord’s had no previous demerit points before this decision. This is the first warning recorded for both venues.
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Cricket officials will now closely monitor future matches at Gaddafi Stadium. The focus will remain on improving pitch standards for upcoming international fixtures.
