ICC Rescinds Gaddafi Stadium Demerit Point After Successful PCB Appeal

Appeals panel finds the June 4 ODI surface did not show excessive unevenness or spin; venue returns to a clean record before a busy October–November home season

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday rescinded the demerit point imposed on Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, upholding an appeal lodged by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and restoring the venue to zero demerit points on its active record.

The sanction had followed an “Unsatisfactory” rating for the pitch used in the third Men’s ODI between Pakistan and Australia on June 4. According to the ICC’s statement, the Appeals Panel reached its determination after reviewing match footage, the match referee’s report and official comments from the respective team captains. The panel found that while the match referee had correctly followed the guidelines of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the surface did not demonstrate excessive unevenness or spin.

The original report was submitted by match referee Graeme La Brooy, citing concerns raised by match officials and captains about the surface used for the series decider — a low-scoring contest Pakistan won by four wickets to take the three-match series 2-1. Australia were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs. It was the only match of the series in which no side passed 200, and the only demerit point Gaddafi Stadium had ever received.

Pakistan produced sharply turning surfaces across all three ODIs in Rawalpindi and Lahore, and captain Shaheen Afridi defended the approach at the time.

Under the ICC’s monitoring framework, venues accumulating demerit points face escalating scrutiny, and a venue reaching five points within a five-year rolling cycle can be suspended from hosting international cricket. Clearing the record ahead of a dense home schedule removes a live risk.

Per ESPNcricinfo, the stadium is scheduled to host four ODIs of a tri-series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England in October, followed by the second Test against Sri Lanka in November.

This is the second successful PCB challenge of its kind. In 2022, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium received a demerit point for the pitch used in the first Test against England — a match England won by 74 runs after posting 506 for 4 on the opening day. The PCB, then under chairman Najam Sethi, appealed, and the panel unanimously overturned the rating, citing redeeming features including a decisive result and 37 of a possible 40 wickets falling.

The same ICC ruling addressed two Canadian appeals. The demerit point against Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King City, Toronto, for the June 8 World Cup League 2 match between the United States and the Netherlands was also withdrawn, the panel finding that surface consistent with a satisfactory pitch. However, three demerit points and an “Unfit” rating for the June 16 match at the same ground were upheld, the panel considering that pitch dangerous. Maple Leaf now carries three demerit points.