Gaddafi Stadium receives one demerit point for 'unsatisfactory' pitch

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated Pakistan's Gaddafi Stadium pitch used during the third ODI between Pakistan and Australia as 'unsatisfactory'.

Batters got no assistance

Australia could only manage 157 in 42 overs as the surface offered practically no help for the batters. None of the Australian batters, barring captain Josh Inglis, who scored 65 runs off 71 balls, could cross even 20 runs. Inglis' 65-run knock was also the top-score across both innings.

What's more is that Pakistan also had difficulty chasing the modest total down. The hosts won the game, but the run rate hovered around 3-4 runs per over throughout the innings.

Match Referee Graeme La Brooy submitted report regarding the deck at Gaddafi Stadium, wherein he stated the surface helped bowlers, especially spinners, immensely as compared to batters.

"The pitch was slow and low and made scoring runs very difficult. It did not suit a One Day International game as batters had to spend more time to settle in. It helped spin very early in the match and continued the same way throughout," La Brooy said.

Pakistan’s spin-friendly pitches fad

The ICC has forwarded the report to the Pakistan Cricket Board, who have 14 days to appeal the sanction. This is the first time Gaddafi Stadium has received a demerit point. 

Following the game, Pakistan's ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said Pakistan are entitled to curate the pitches at home according to their strengths. Spin-friendly surfaces have been a trend in Pakistan's home games since late 2024 when they used the tactic to defeat England in a Test series.

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