Web Desk: Pakistan have been handed a financial fine and an 11-point deduction in the World Test Championship after falling well short of the required over rate during their third Test against England in Birmingham.
The International Cricket Council said Pakistan were 11 overs behind the required rate after allowances were taken into account during the Edgbaston match, which England won by eight wickets.
As a result, Pakistan’s players were fined 50% of their match fees, while the team lost 11 points from its World Test Championship tally.
The sanction was imposed by Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees member Ranjan Madugalle after the match officials reported the over-rate breach.
The deduction comes at a difficult time for Pakistan, who have slipped further toward the bottom of the World Test Championship table.
Following the penalty, Pakistan sit ninth with a points percentage of 4.63, leaving them with little room for error in their remaining fixtures.
Under ICC regulations, players receive a five percent fine for every over their team fails to complete within the allotted time, with the individual penalty capped at 50% of the match fee.
The World Test Championship regulations impose an additional penalty of one championship point for every over a team falls short.
Pakistan’s 11-over deficit therefore resulted in an 11-point deduction.
The punishment follows a disappointing Test series for Pakistan, who were beaten by England in all three matches.
England’s victory at Edgbaston completed a 3-0 series sweep and added to Pakistan’s struggles in the current championship cycle.
The slow-over-rate penalty has now compounded the impact of the series defeat by reducing Pakistan’s already limited points total.
Pakistan will have an opportunity to rebuild their World Test Championship campaign in November when they host Sri Lanka for a two-match series.
The Tests are scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi and Lahore, with Pakistan needing significantly improved results to revive their position in the standings.
The team will also need to avoid further disciplinary penalties if it is to maximise its remaining opportunities in the championship cycle.
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