The match referee gave the Rawalpindi surface, where
England defeated Pakistan in a remarkable first Test, a "below
ordinary" rating.
Every international match has graded pitches; low
ratings result in demerit points, which can eventually result in the suspension
of the ability to stage the event.
Rawalpindi received one penalty point for its below average ranking. The ground has already received a penalty point twice this year.
The playing surface for Pakistan and Australia's first
Test, which ended in a draw, was similarly deemed to be below average.
A venue will be barred from hosting international
cricket for a year if it obtains five demerit points in a five-year span.
A pitch or outfield can receive one of the following
six ratings: very good, good, average, below average, terrible, and unsuitable.
1,768 runs were made at Rawalpindi on the flat
ground, which is a record for a Test match lasting no more than five days.
The last day's concluding seconds saw England force
a stunning victory despite the lack of support for bowlers.
"It was an extremely flat surface that afforded
practically no help to any style of bowler," remarked match official Andy
Pycroft. Because of this, hitters scored quickly, and both teams recorded high
totals. The playing surface barely changed throughout the game.
To take a commanding 2-0 series lead, England won
the second Test in Multan after triumphing in Rawalpindi. In the last Test,
starting on Saturday in Karachi, they'll try to sweep the series.