Pakistan fined, docked 11 WTC points for slow over-rate in Birmingham Test

Published
1
England captain Joe Root in action against Pakistan during the third Test in Birmingham, on September 12, 2026. — Reuters/File
England captain Joe Root in action against Pakistan during the third Test in Birmingham, on September 12, 2026. — Reuters/File

Pakistan have been fined 50 per cent of their match fee, and penalised 11 World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third and final Test against England in Birmingham, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday.

In a press release, the ICC said Pakistan were ruled to be 11 overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration during the match.

“Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction, after on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Allahudien Palekar and fourth umpire Russell Warren levelled the charge,” the cricketing body said.

It said that Pakistan were now sitting at the bottom of the World Test rankings, with 4.63 points percentage. Pakistan were previously at the bottom of the rankings, with 14.81 points percentage.

As per ICC rules, a side is penalised one point for each over short. In addition, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for each over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time, with the maximum penalty capped at 50pc of the match fee.

The Test, which concluded on Saturday, saw England complete a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep of Pakistan, winning the last match by eight wickets.

In May, Pakistan were penalised 40pc of their match-fees as well as eight World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate during a Test match against Bangladesh.

Opinion

Editorial

Restructuring plans
Updated 29 Oct, 2026

Restructuring plans

The primary reason for governance failure in Pakistan is not the geographical size of the existing provinces but the reluctance of provincial capitals to empower local bodies.
Polluted priorities
Updated 29 Oct, 2026

Polluted priorities

Enforcement must continue, but decisions should follow evidence, not the visibility of machinery on city roads.
Continuing genocide
29 Oct, 2026

Continuing genocide

FOR the people of Gaza, despite the ‘ceasefire’ reached last October, the genocide never really ceased. This ...
Regional security
Updated 28 Oct, 2026

Regional security

Iran and the Makkah pact states should pledge not to let external actors use their soil to launch aggression against each other.
Rate hike
28 Oct, 2026

Rate hike

THE SBP’s decision to raise its policy rate by 50 basis points to 12pc was largely expected. It is also justified...
Press solidarity
28 Oct, 2026

Press solidarity

PAKISTAN’S journalists have seldom lacked organisations speaking in defence of press freedom. What has been ...