ICC Appeals Panel removes Lahore venue’s demerit point while three points remain against Maple Leaf Cricket Ground.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revised its earlier pitch ratings for two cricket venues after reviewing appeals submitted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Canada. The decision clears Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium of its previously imposed demerit point.
The ICC Appeals Panel assessed three separate appeals related to matches played in June. Its review included match footage, reports submitted by match referees and feedback provided by captains of the participating teams before reaching its conclusions.
Gaddafi Stadium had received an “Unsatisfactory” rating after the third One-Day International between Pakistan and Australia on June 4. The venue was subsequently handed one demerit point under the ICC’s pitch and outfield monitoring system.
Following the appeal, the panel decided to remove the penalty. It determined that although the match referee had correctly followed the relevant assessment guidelines, the playing surface did not show excessive unevenness or unusually high levels of spin.
The decision provides a boost for the historic Lahore venue, which now has no demerit points on its ICC record.
The Appeals Panel also reviewed two ratings awarded to Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King City, Toronto. The venue had been rated “Unsatisfactory” for a World Cup League 2 fixture between the United States and the Netherlands on June 8.
The panel concluded that the surface in that match was consistent with a satisfactory pitch and did not produce excessive unevenness, seam movement or spin. As a result, the demerit point attached to that rating was withdrawn.
However, the venue will continue to carry three demerit points from its “Unfit” rating for the Canada-Netherlands match played on June 16.
The panel found that the condition of the pitch during that fixture presented a dangerous playing environment and therefore justified the original “Unfit” classification.
Following the ICC’s latest rulings, Gaddafi Stadium’s record now stands at zero demerit points, while Maple Leaf Cricket Ground retains three. The decisions underline the ICC’s process of reviewing pitch assessments when official appeals are lodged by member boards.