Pakistan cricket team have suffered yet another blow. Just days after losing to Bangladesh in the BAN vs PAK 1st Test, Shan Masood and co. have been penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), a move that will further deter Pakistan in the ongoing WTC 2025/27 campaign. In what was a historic occasion, Bangladesh beat Pakistan by a mammoth 104-run margin to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, a result which has already forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to rethink on the team combination and the leadership choice.
Pakistan fined for slow-over rate in BAN vs PAK 1st Test
The Pakistan team has been docked 8 points in addition to a penalty of 40% of the team’s match fee for maintaining a slow-over rate in the BAN vs PAK 1st Test. Pakistan were found 8 overs short of the target, leading the team to be penalized. With this sanction, Pakistan are now on four points in the WTC Standings, placing them eighth, just above West Indies.
“The sanction was imposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl within the allotted time. As per Article 16.11.2 of the World Test Championship playing conditions, teams lose one championship point for each over short, resulting in Pakistan being docked eight crucial points in the WTC standings,” an ICC release stated.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood has admitted to the offence, and has hence avoided a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Kumar Dharmasena, alongside third umpire Allahuddien Palekar and fourth umpire Gazi Sohel. As a result, 7th placed Pakistan have just 4 points to their name now.
Updated WTC 2025/27 points table
| Pos | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Ded | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 87.50 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 77.78 |
| 3 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 75.00 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 66.67 |
| 5 | India | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 48.15 |
| 6 | Bangladesh | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 44.44 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 33.33 |
| 8 | England | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 38 | 31.67 |
| 9 | West Indies | 8 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4.17 |
WTC 2025-27 Points System
- 12 points for a win
- 6 points for a tie
- 4 points for a draw
- Teams are ranked according to the percentage of points won.
- The Top two teams progress to the final in 2027.
- Point Deductions: Points are deducted for slow over rates
