Pakistan’s England nightmare deepens: 11 WTC points docked, 50% fine — here’s why

Pakistan's Babar Azam, center, with teammates following his side's defeat to England at Edgbaston. (AP Photo)NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s disastrous 0-3 Test series defeat against England has been compounded by a significant over-rate penalty, with the side losing 11 World Test Championship points and being fined 50 per cent of their match fee following the Edgbaston Test.Pakistan were found to be 11 overs short of the required over-rate during the third and final Test in Birmingham, which England won by eight wickets to complete a 3-0 series sweep.“Pakistan have been hit with a pair of sanctions for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third and final ICC World Test Championship contest against England in Birmingham,” the ICC said.11-point deduction and maximum fineRanjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Allahudien Palekar and fourth umpire Russell Warren levelled the charge.Pakistan captain Babar Azam pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing.The deduction further dents Pakistan’s position at the bottom of the WTC standings, leaving them ninth with a points percentage of 4.63.Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl within the allotted time, with the maximum penalty capped at 50 per cent.“In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for each over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time, with the maximum penalty capped at 50 percent of the match fee.”The 11-over shortfall also resulted in an 11-point deduction under the WTC playing conditions.“In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, 11 World Test Championship points have been deducted from Pakistan’s points total,” the ICC said.ALSO READ: 15 vs 3.33: How struggling England side swept Pakistan 3-0England complete 3-0 sweepThe penalty adds to a miserable WTC campaign for Pakistan, who have recorded just two wins and seven defeats from nine Tests and now languish ninth in the standings.England completed the series sweep with an eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston. Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in their first innings before England posted 453, taking a 320-run lead.Pakistan fought back with 449 in their second innings, with Shan Masood scoring 95, Babar making 76 and debutant Razaullah hitting 81. Razaullah and Mohammad Abbas added 121 for the ninth wicket.But England needed only 130 and reached 130/2, with Joe Root unbeaten on 62 and Jordan Cox on 59.England had earlier won the series opener at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs and the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs.Pakistan’s next WTC assignment comes in November when they host Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in Rawalpindi and Lahore.