PAK vs ENG: Will ICC scrutinize Rawalpindi pitch after spin dominance

The pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has come under scrutiny following a dramatic first session in the third Test between Pakistan and England.

As England opted to bat after winning the toss, they initially scored 56 runs but quickly plummeted to 110 for 5 by lunch on the first day.

England’s batting collapse was largely due to the pitch conditions.

Pakistan started with two spinners, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, marking the first time in Test history that two spinners opened the bowling in Pakistan. Sajid took three wickets for 55 runs, while Noman claimed two for 53 runs in the session.

Two of England's key batsmen, Ben Duckett and Joe Root, were dismissed in ways that raised eyebrows.

Their dismissals were unusual for a Test match's opening session, leading to questions about whether the Rawalpindi pitch could face sanctions from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to ICC rules, a Test pitch should allow all players' skills to be shown during the match. Ideally, the conditions should slightly favor bowlers, but pitches must not favor one side too much. If a pitch fails to maintain a fair contest between bat and ball, it could be labeled as “Unsatisfactory” and receive one demerit point.

A pitch could also be marked as “Unfit” if it is considered dangerous, which would incur three demerit points. Specific criteria for assessing pitches include allowing some turn on the first day, but excessive uneven bounce is unacceptable at this stage.

The ball that dismissed Duckett barely bounced, raising concerns about pitch quality. Match referees will closely monitor the situation when evaluating the pitch. While it's likely to receive at least one demerit point, a more severe sanction seems unlikely at this stage.