DUBAI, September 14: Pakistan have been deducted 11 World Test Championship (WTC) points and their players fined 50% of their match fees after the International Cricket Council found the team guilty of maintaining a slow over-rate during the third Test against England at Edgbaston.
The sanction adds to Pakistan’s difficult England tour, where they suffered a 3-0 Test series whitewash.
Pakistan Found 11 Overs Short
According to the ICC, Pakistan were found to be 11 overs short of the required target after all permitted time allowances were taken into consideration during the Birmingham Test.
Under ICC rules, teams are penalised one World Test Championship point for every over they are short. Players can also be fined 5% of their match fee for each over, with the financial penalty capped at 50%.
As Pakistan were 11 overs behind, the team lost the maximum 11 WTC points, while the players received the 50% match-fee fine.
England Completed 3-0 Series Sweep
The penalty relates to the third and final Test at Edgbaston, which England won by eight wickets.
Pakistan had set England a target of 130 in the fourth innings, but Joe Root and Jordan Cox guided the hosts to victory after England lost both openers early. The result completed a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep for England.
The over-rate sanction means Pakistan’s problems from the tour now extend beyond the results on the field.
Pakistan Drop to Bottom of WTC Table
The deduction has badly damaged Pakistan’s position in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
Following the latest penalty, Pakistan have only five points from nine Tests and sit at the bottom of the WTC standings. Their points percentage has fallen to approximately 4.63%.
Australia currently lead the championship standings, while defending champions South Africa occupy second place. The WTC final is scheduled to be played at The Oval in London in June 2027.
Slow Over-Rates Have Cost Pakistan Heavily
Pakistan have earned points through two Test victories during the current WTC cycle, but repeated over-rate penalties have significantly reduced their overall tally.
The latest 11-point deduction therefore makes their chances of recovering sufficiently to compete for a place in the World Test Championship final increasingly difficult.
Sri Lanka Series Next for Pakistan
Pakistan’s next World Test Championship assignment is scheduled to be a two-Test home series against Sri Lanka in November.
With only five points remaining after the latest sanction, Pakistan will need strong results while also ensuring they avoid further over-rate penalties if they are to improve their position in the championship table.
source – ICC / Reuters / The Indian Express
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