Explained: Why Pakistan's WTC Points Were Deducted After Defeat Against Bangladesh?

In a dramatic twist to an already historic Test series, Pakistan's cricket team has faced significant repercussions following their unexpected defeat against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed severe penalties on both teams, emphasizing the crucial issue of maintaining over rates during international matches. This article delves into the reasons behind Pakistan's point deduction and the broader implications of the ICC's decision.

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Pakistan’s Unfortunate Penalty

The shockwaves from Pakistan's first-ever Test defeat to Bangladesh were compounded by a heavy sanction from the ICC. The Shan Masood-led Pakistan team was docked six World Test Championship (WTC) points and fined 30% of their match fees for maintaining a slow over rate. This decision has added to their woes, as they now find themselves languishing at the bottom half of the WTC points table.

The penalty was handed down after it was determined that Pakistan had failed to bowl six overs within the allotted time, despite time allowances. According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, teams are fined 5% of their match fee for each over they fall short of the target. This was a significant blow for Pakistan, whose points tally now stands at just 16 from six Tests, resulting in a percentage of points (PCT) of 35. This relegates them to 8th place, just above the last-ranked West Indies.

Bangladesh’s Concurrent Sanction

Bangladesh, despite their historic 10-wicket victory, was not spared from the ICC's scrutiny. The Tigers were docked three WTC points and fined 15% of their match fees for the same offence. Bangladesh's penalty arose from being three overs short of the required target, a fact confirmed after detailed assessment.
The dual punishment highlights the ICC's commitment to upholding the integrity and efficiency of Test cricket. Both Shan Masood and Najmul Hossain Shanto, captains of Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively, accepted the sanctions without contest, thus avoiding formal hearings.

Impact on the WTC Standings

The sanctions have significantly impacted the standings in the World Test Championship. Pakistan's point deduction has left them struggling at the lower end of the table, whereas Bangladesh, despite their penalty, is slightly better positioned with a PCT of 35. At the top of the table, India leads with 74 points from 9 Tests and a PCT of 68.52, showcasing a clear gap between the leading teams and those facing challenges.

Shakib Al Hasan’s Additional Penalty

In another disciplinary action, Bangladesh’s all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was fined 10% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Shakib’s offence occurred when he threw the ball towards a batter in an inappropriate manner during Pakistan’s second innings. This breach, categorized under Article 2.9 of the ICC Code, resulted in an additional demerit point on Shakib’s record, marking his first offence in a 24-month period.

The incident, which happened in the 33rd over, was scrutinized by the on-field umpires and resulted in a relatively mild sanction given the nature of the breach. Shakib admitted the offence and accepted the penalty without a formal hearing.