The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitches at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Lord's Cricket Ground in London as 'unsatisfactory', awarding one demerit point to each venue under its Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
Lord's pitch under scrutiny
The Lord's surface came under scrutiny during the opening Test of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 between England and New Zealand. The match ended inside four days despite rain interruptions on the third day, with a staggering 33 wickets falling across the first two days alone. Match referee Andy Pycroft cited excessive seam movement, inconsistent bounce and several deliveries keeping unusually low as key concerns. He noted that the conditions created a significant imbalance between bat and ball, heavily favouring the bowlers throughout the contest.
Gaddafi Stadium pitch issues
Meanwhile, the pitch at Gaddafi Stadium was also deemed below the required standard following the third ODI between Pakistan and Australia on June 4. In that match, Australia were bowled out for just 157 in 42 overs before Pakistan successfully chased the target in 41 overs, losing six wickets on a challenging batting surface. Match referee Graeme La Brooy observed that the pitch was unusually slow and low, making run-scoring difficult and offering substantial assistance to spinners from the early stages of the match. He added that the surface was not ideally suited for ODI cricket, as batters required considerable time to adjust to the conditions.
ICC demerit system
Under ICC regulations, venues accumulate demerit points for substandard pitches and outfields. Grounds receiving multiple demerit points within a five-year period risk facing disciplinary action, including suspension from hosting international matches.
