Pakistan penalised by ICC after slow over-rate in Mirpur Test defeat
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Pakistan were handed a major penalty by the ICC for maintaining a slow over-rate during the opening Test against Bangladesh.
Match referee Jeff Crowe, part of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, ruled that Pakistan fell eight overs behind the required rate after time allowances were considered. Consequently, the team has been fined 40 per cent of their match fees and docked eight points in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players are penalised five per cent of their match fee for every over not completed within the allotted time, resulting in the hefty financial sanction. Additionally, Article 16.11.2 of the World Test Championship regulations states that teams lose one championship point for each over short, leading to the eight-point deduction.
Pakistan skipper accepted the offence and agreed to the sanction, eliminating the need for an official hearing.
The charge was filed by on-field umpires and , along with third umpire and fourth umpire .
The disciplinary blow followed Pakistan’s disappointing 104-run defeat, which marked Bangladesh’s first-ever Test victory over Pakistan on home soil.
Pakistan were in a solid position during the chase of 268, reaching 119/3 with debutant and vice-captain well settled at the crease. However, Fazal’s wicket sparked a collapse as the visitors lost six wickets for only 44 runs and were eventually dismissed for 163.
Earlier, Bangladesh piled up 413 in the first innings thanks to a century from captain and a valuable 91 by .
Pakistan answered with 386, highlighted by a debut hundred from , while Abdullah Fazal and also made important contributions.
Following the win, Bangladesh climbed to sixth place in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 table with 16 points and a points percentage of 44.44. Pakistan, meanwhile, dropped to seventh position with 12 points and a 33.33 percentage after three matches.
