ICC docks Pakistan of 6 WTC points, imposes fines; Bangladesh penalized as well

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.

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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.