Pakistan vs Australia 2022 FIRST Test, Day four LIVE cricket scores: Series highlights, results
Any result other than a draw would now be a shock in the first Test match at Rawalpindi, and the pitch has been taken to task for being flat and lifeless.
After winning the toss, Pakistan batted for almost two full days before declaring on 4-476. Australia is 2-271 in reply, although day three was stopped prematurely due to bad light at Pindi Stadium.
It’s been a tough slog for the bowlers, particularly the Aussies who erred by picking three specialist quicks as well as all-rounder Cameron Green, when clearly spin is at a premium on this deck.
Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Hafeez also took aim at the Pindi pitch via his Twitter account.
“Slow and dead pitch,” Hafeez said.
“Result oriented cricket is the future of Test cricket, not dead drawn games.”
Writer CJ Werleman called on the International Cricket Council to “set a standard for Test match pitches”.
Cricket pitches already do receive a rating from the umpires after each Test match. Demerit points are handed down for pitches rated “poor” or “unfit”, and if enough demerit points are accrued that venue can be barred from hosting international cricket.
