After Bangladesh registered their historic maiden Test win against Pakistan yesterday (August 25), both teams were guilty of slow-over rates, leading to the docking of crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points).
Pakistan succumbed to a demoralising 10-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in the series opener in Rawalpindi. After day four's play, the match seemed to be heading towards a certain draw, but the hosts suffered an almightly collapse, giving Bangladesh a sniff. The visitors only had to chase 30 in the fourth innings and they did it comfortably in 6.3 overs. Mushfiqur Rahim, who is having a late-career surge, starred with a 341-ball 191 in their first innings.
A day after the humiliating loss, Pakistan were dealt with another setback, losing six World Test Championship points for their slow over rate through the Test. Currently ranked eighth with a points percentage of 30.56 from six matches, the penalty is another blow to their chances of making it to the final of the 2023-2025 cycle.
Pakistan fielded an all-pace attack, a move that backfired on a placid wicket, which had very little to offer for the bowlers. Bangladesh batted for 167.3 overs, racking up 565 in reply to their first innings score of 448-6. Salman Agha, the only spin-bowling option bowled 42.3 overs without any success, conceding 136 runs. The lack of spinners meant pacers had to take the bulk of the load, resulting in the slow-over rate.
However, the hosts were not the only team as Bangladesh were also docked points due to the same reason, but only half as many as their rivals. The tourists are currently at sixth in the WTC table, with a PCT of 40 from five outings.
"Hosts Pakistan were found to be six overs short during the Test and lost six World Test Championship points, while visitors Bangladesh - who recorded a 10-wicket triumph over their Asian rivals - were docked three points after being found three overs short of the acceptable rate," said the ICC in a statement.
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