Match referee rates Pindi pitch as ‘below average’

By our correspondent
KARACHI: Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees has rated the pitch at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi that was used for the first Test between Pakistan and Australia as “below average”.
The venue has received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.
“The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days and that there has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower. The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners as the match progressed,” Maudgalle said. “In my view this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball.  Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines I rate this pitch as below average,” said Madugalle, who served as match referee in the Pindi Test.
The ICC said that Madugalle’s report has been forwarded to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
In the Pindi Test only 14 wickets fell in five days and the track also invited criticism from the cricket experts.