ICC penalizes Lord's and Gaddafi Stadium for unsatisfactory pitches
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 10, 2026, 5:00 AM
Last updated Jun 10, 2026
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitches at Lord's and Gaddafi Stadium as "unsatisfactory," issuing a demerit point to each location. The pitch at Lord's provided excessive seam movement and low bounce during the first Test between England and New Zealand. In Pakistan, the Gaddafi Stadium pitch was criticized for being too slow and low for a One Day International between Pakistan and Australia. Both cricket boards have 14 days to appeal these sanctions, following reports from match referees. This is the first instance of demerit points for either venue.
- •ICC awarded one demerit point to both Lord's and Gaddafi Stadium.
- •Lord's pitch favored bowlers, leading to an imbalance in play.
- •Gaddafi Stadium pitch was too slow and low for ODI standards.
- •ECB and PCB have 14 days to appeal the sanctions.
- •No prior demerit points were recorded for either venue.
- 5:00 AMYahoo Sports — Why Pakistan's iconic Gaddafi Stadium has been penalised by the ICC
- 6:45 PMYahoo Sports — 'Unsatisfactory' verdict! ICC penalises Lord's and Pakistan's Gaddafi Stadium pitches
"Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium has been handed one demerit point by the ICC for an "unsatisfactory" pitch during the Pakistan-Australia ODI, deemed too slow and spin-friendly. Similarly, Lord's in London received a demerit point for excessive seam movement and variable bounce in the England-New Zealand Test. Both venues now face potential suspensions if further demerit points are accumulated.
"Cricket's governing body has deemed pitches at Lord's and Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium "unsatisfactory," awarding one demerit point to each. Lord's offered excessive seam movement and low bounce, while Lahore's surface proved too slow and low for an ODI. Both cricket boards have 14 days to appeal these sanctions.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 5:00 AMWhy Pakistan's iconic Gaddafi Stadium has been penalised by the ICC
Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium has been handed one demerit point by the ICC for an "unsatisfactory" pitch during the Pakistan-Australia ODI, deemed too slow and spin-friendly. Similarly, Lord's in London received a demerit point for excessive seam movement and variable bounce in the England-New Zealand Test. Both venues now face potential suspensions if further demerit points are accumulated.
- Yahoo SportsJun 9, 2026, 6:45 PM'Unsatisfactory' verdict! ICC penalises Lord's and Pakistan's Gaddafi Stadium pitches
Cricket's governing body has deemed pitches at Lord's and Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium "unsatisfactory," awarding one demerit point to each. Lord's offered excessive seam movement and low bounce, while Lahore's surface proved too slow and low for an ODI. Both cricket boards have 14 days to appeal these sanctions.
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