Pakistan has been docked five World Test Championship (WTC) points and fined 25% of their match fee due to a slow over rate during their 10-wicket loss to South Africa in the second Test in Cape Town. The team was found to be five overs short after time allowances were considered.
The penalty, imposed by match referee Richie Richardson, was accepted by Pakistan captain Shan Masood, who pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge was brought forward by umpires Kumar Dharmasena, Nitin Menon, Alex Wharf, and Stephen Harris, making a formal hearing unnecessary.
In the WTC, teams lose one point for each over they fall short. This is Pakistan's third points deduction in the 2023-25 cycle. They previously lost two points in the December 2023 Perth Test against Australia and six points in the August 2024 Rawalpindi Test against Bangladesh.
As a result of the latest deduction, Pakistan now has 35 points out of a possible 48 from 12 Tests, dropping their points percentage from 27.78% to 24.31%. Although still in eighth place, they are now just marginally ahead of West Indies, who have a percentage of 24.24 and no over-rate penalties.
This development heightens the stakes for Pakistan’s upcoming two-Test home series against West Indies, set to take place in Karachi and Multan from January 16.
Updated on 8th January, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.