Pakistan Docked Eight WTC Points for Slow Over-Rate After Bangladesh Test Defeat

Pakistan national cricket team have been penalised eight World Test Championship (WTC) points for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first Test against Bangladesh national cricket team in Dhaka, a match Pakistan lost by 104 runs.

The sanction has pushed Pakistan down to eighth place in the current WTC standings. They now have four points, level with ninth-placed West Indies cricket team, although Pakistan remain ahead on percentage points — 11.11 compared to West Indies’ 4.17.

Pakistan were found to be eight overs short of the required target after time allowances were taken into account. Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the penalty under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to minimum over-rate offences.

According to ICC regulations, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl within the allotted time. In addition, teams lose one WTC point for each over they fall short.

Pakistan are the second side to be penalised for a slow over-rate in the ongoing WTC cycle. Earlier, England cricket team were docked two WTC points following the Lord’s Test against India national cricket team in July last year. England’s tally dropped from 24 to 22 points, while their percentage points decreased from 66.67 to 61.11, causing them to slip from second to third place in the standings.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s victory in Dhaka lifted them above England into sixth place in the WTC table.

Current WTC leaders Australia national cricket team, champions of the 2021–23 cycle, have won seven of their eight Tests so far and sit comfortably at the top with 87.50 percentage points. New Zealand national cricket team, winners of the inaugural 2019–21 edition, are second with 77.78 percentage points, while defending champions South Africa national cricket team occupy third place with 75.00. Sri Lanka national cricket team are fourth with 66.67, followed by India in fifth with 48.15.