Pakistan have been deducted two World Test Championship points and fined 10 per cent of their match fees after falling short of the minimum over rate in the first Test against Australia.

The tourists were found to be two overs short, with the punishment imposed match referee Javagal Srinath in accordance with the ICC’s regulations.

The penalty caps off a tough week for Pakistan, who slumped to a hefty defeat at Perth. Australia put up 487 on the back of a century by David Warner before bundling Pakistan out for 271. Australia then declared to set Pakistan a stiff total, and they collapsed for 89, losing by 360 runs.

The result extended Pakistan’s losing run in Australia to 15, a run which stretches back to the 20th century.

Pakistan’s WTC campaign had started well, with a 2-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka, but they have now slipped behind India to second, with India occupying top spot.

Australia win the first Test.

We move to Melbourne for the next game of the series#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/8IxMrpmeXi

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 17, 2023

The tour of Australia is likely to be Pakistan’s toughest assignment in the current WTC cycle. Two Tests in South Africa will also be a stiff challenge, as will a series against England at home, but they will hope to claim near to maximum points against Bangladesh and West Indies in Pakistan.

Over-rate penalties have been a topic of keen debate in recent times. The ICC are trialling a stop-clock and run penalties in the ongoing West Indies-England T20I series, while England, despite coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in the Ashes, have seen their WTC hopes all but extinguished by an unprecedented 19-point deduction.

The second Test between Australia and Pakistan starts at the MCG on Boxing Day.