ICC docks Pakistan 11 WTC points after England whitewash
After a 3-0 series loss to England, ICC penalised Pakistan 11 World Test Championship points for a slow over rate
The three-Test series between Pakistan and England has just ended, with Pakistan suffering a heavy defeat. England whitewashed Pakistan, taking the series 3-0. After this humiliating loss, the ICC has now handed Pakistan's team a further punishment.
Following the whitewash against England, Pakistan's troubles have deepened. After the series defeat, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken strict action against the Pakistan team. Due to a slow over rate, the ICC has deducted all 11 points from Pakistan's tally on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. In addition, all players have been fined 50 percent of their match fee.
Pakistan's team bowled 11 overs short of the stipulated time, which is why the ICC took this action. Under the ICC's World Test Championship rules, one point is deducted from a team's tally for every over short of the stipulated rate. Accordingly, Pakistan lost 11 points. Also, under the ICC's code of conduct, players face a 5 percent fine for every over short, under which it was decided to deduct 50 percent of all players' match fees.
Pakistan's team was already on the back foot after the 3-0 series defeat to England, and this action has worsened their position further. With the ICC's deduction of 11 points, Pakistan has dropped to the bottom of the World Test Championship points table. As a result, Pakistan's hopes of reaching the final now stand shattered.
England dominated the series against Pakistan from the start. From the very first match, both Pakistan's batting and bowling looked weak. England thrashed Pakistan one-sidedly throughout the series to win it 3-0. Before Pakistan could even recover from this defeat, the ICC's action dealt a further blow to both the Pakistan Cricket Board and its fans.
The England tour was mired in controversy for the Pakistan cricket team. After losing the first two of the three Tests, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took the drastic step of dropping 7 players from the squad, ordering them to return home immediately. But despite changing half the team, Pakistan's fortunes did not change, and they suffered a heavy defeat in the third Test as well.
