Pakistan’s Babar Azam, center, with teammates following his side’s defeat to England at Edgbaston. (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s disastrous 0-3 Test series defeat against England has been compounded by a significant over-rate penalty, with the side losing 11 World Test Championship points and being fined 50 per cent of their match fee following the Edgbaston Test. Pakistan were found to be 11 overs short of the required over-rate during the third and final Test in Birmingham, which England won by eight wickets to complete a 3-0 series sweep. The deduction further dents Pakistan’s position at the bottom of the WTC standings, leaving them ninth with a points percentage of 4.63. “In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, 11 World Test Championship points have been deducted from Pakistan’s points total,” the ICC said.
“Pakistan have been hit with a pair of sanctions for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third and final ICC World Test Championship contest against England in Birmingham,” the ICC said. The penalty adds to a miserable WTC campaign for Pakistan, who have recorded just two wins and seven defeats from nine Tests and now languish ninth in the standings.