PCB chairman confirms Rawalpindi pitch was doctored to nullify Australian quicks

PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has insinuated that the lifeless Rawalpindi pitch was intentionally prepared to nullify Australia’s bowlers.

Australia's players leave the ground after a draw. Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja has heavily insinuated that the lifeless Rawalpindi pitch was intentionally prepared to negate Australia’s world-class pace attack.

The historic Test between Pakistan and Australia at Pindi Cricket Stadium ended as a hapless draw on Tuesday, with only 14 wickets falling over five days on a pitch that offered little seam and slow bounce.

Australian pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Cameron Green collectively threw down 113 overs on the barren deck, taking one wicket between them.

Australia has never conceded more runs while taking less wickets in a Test match.

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While pitches traditionally deteriorate as matches progress, the Rawalpindi deck remained a batting paradise for five consecutive days, and risks being branded “poor” by the International Cricket Council.

ICC regulations state that Test venues must “present the best possible pitch and outfield conditions for that match”.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Cummins suggested the Rawalpindi curators attempted to “nullify” pace bowling by preparing a flat, docile wicket for the Benaud-Qadir series opener — Australia’s first Test in Pakistan since 1998.

“It wasn’t a super fair contest between bat and ball,” Cummins said on Tuesday.

“Turning up to a pitch that’s probably not a traditional pitch you would get here in Rawalpindi, and it’s probably clear they’ve made an effort to try and nullify the pace bowling.

“I think that’s a positive. And, sub-continent conditions, coming away with a draw it’s not a bad result.”

Only 14 wickets fell in the Rawalpindi Test. Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP

Raja conceded the Test “wasn’t a good advertisement” for the sport, but stressed that Pakistan needed to play to its strengths by doctoring the pitch accordingly.

The hosts were without star pacemen Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf, each unavailable due to injury and Covid-19.

“I understand the frustration of the fans,” Ramiz said in a video posted on PCB’s Twitter account.

“Undoubtedly, it would have been very good if we had a result but this is a three-Test series and we need to understand that a lot of cricket still remains to be played.

“Just for the heck of it, we can’t prepare a fast pitch or a bouncy pitch and put the game in Australia’s lap.

“It’s important that when we play at home, we play to our strengths. We also had limited resources, unfortunately.

“Our opening-ball pair was disturbed because Hasan Ali and Faheem were both unfit. Similarly, we had a brand-new opening pair — Abdullah Shafique had only played 2-3 matches, and we were keeping a worrisome eye on his form, and whether he could handle such a good bowling attack or not. Imam-ul-Haq was also making a comeback.”

PCB Chairman reflects on the Rawalpindi Test and reiterates his plans on pitches for domestic and international matches in the country#PAKvAUS l #BoysReadyHainpic.twitter.com/OuD7wDvJw1

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 9, 2022

Ramiz promised the quality of pitches would improve in Karachi and Lahore, but warned to expect more “low-bouncy tracks”.

“We need to beat Australia and we need to prepare our strategy accordingly,” he said.

“The strategy is for low-bouncy tracks where reverse can happen, where LBW and bowled will be in play, where our spinners can show their performance and where the batters, who have grown up on low-bounce pitches, can utilise that advantage.

“I hope that this series, going forward, will become more interesting but only one match is done, so don’t jump the gun, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.”

The Karachi pitch is expected to favour spin bowlers, who average 32.54 in Tests in Karachi compared to 43.23 in Rawalpindi.

More than half of the wickets that fell during last year’s Karachi Test between Pakistan and South Africa were taken by spinners, with leggie Yasir Shah claiming seven victims.

If George Bailey and the selection panel decide on a two-spin attack for the second Test, one of Starc or Hazlewood would presumably make way for Queensland leg-spinner Swepson or West Australian tweaker Ashton Agar.

Australia has never won a Test match in Karachi, suffering five defeats and three draws at the venue since 1956.

Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who missed the series opener with injury, has been ruled out of the Karachi Test after testing positive to Covid-19.

The second Test of the Benaud-Qadir series gets underway on Saturday, with the first ball scheduled for 4pm AEDT.