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Jay Shah's ICC announces huge verdict on Pakistan cricket [Source: AFP]
Pakistan and Australia collided in the 3rd ODI of the series on June 4, 2026, and the match was dominated by the spinners as the players witnessed uneven bounce and awkward turn, and thus, the ICC gave the Lahore pitch an “unsatisfactory rating.”
However, the PCB appealed, as they submitted a complaint to the ICC regarding the same. Now, almost 2.5 months later, the ICC panel has revealed its final verdict on the Lahore pitch that hosted the Pakistan vs Australia ODI.
Jay Shah's ICC announces "final verdict" on Lahore pitch
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its decisions on the pitch appeal submitted by the PCB regarding the unsatisfactory rating and demerit point given to the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
The Jay Shah-led ICC panel overturned the “demerit points” given to the Gaddafi Stadium that hosted the 3rd ODI between Pakistan and Australia.
The panel observed that while the guidelines of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process were followed by the Match Referee, "the pitch did not demonstrate excessive unevenness or spin." While taking the decision, match footage was observed, the captain’s comments were considered, and the match referee’s official report was also given importance.
Why the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore pitch was given unsatisfactory rating by ICC?
Australia toured Pakistan, and the two teams were involved in a three-match ODI series, with Pakistan winning the first game, and the visitors bouncing back to win the second.
It was the series decider on June 4 as the two sides collided in Lahore for a riveting ODI game. However, the contest soon turned into a dreamland for the spinners as they dominated the proceedings to bamboozle the batters.
Australia batted first and posted just 157 runs, with Abrar Ahmed taking 2 for 19 in his 10 overs, and Shadab Khan also picking 2 wickets for 28 runs. In reply, the Pakistan batters also struggled as Matt Kuhnemann picked up 3 for 38 and nearly won the game for his side
The pitch had turn and bounce, and the Pakistan batters barely survived as they somehow won the game by 4 wickets.
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After the match, the ICC was unhappy with how the Gaddafi Stadium pitch behaved, as the surface was given a demerit point, which was eventually overturned.
What would have happened had the "demerit point" verdict not been overruled?
If the original verdict, which was an unsatisfactory rating given to the Gaddafi Stadium, was not overturned, the ground would have carried a demerit point.
Demerit points remain active on a venue's record for a rolling five-year period. If a venue accumulates six demerit points during the same timeline, it is suspended from hosting international matches for 12 months.
If a venue reaches 12 demerit points in the five-year timeframe, within the five-year period, the international hosting suspension increases to 24 months.
Gaddafi Stadium is one of the best cricket grounds in Pakistan, and the venue hosts a plethora of games; thus, the PCB didn’t want the venue to carry any demerit points.
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