Archive · 20 Aug 2026
ICC Scraps Gaddafi Stadium Demerit Point Ahead of Tri-Series
The International Cricket Council gave Gaddafi Stadium a clean record.
The stadium had received one penalty point because its pitch was called unsatisfactory.
After watching the match footage and reviewing reports, the ICC changed that decision.
It said the pitch was not excessively uneven or too spin-friendly.
Pakistan will host a tri-series with England and Sri Lanka.
The series starts on October 18 in Rawalpindi and ends on October 31 in Lahore.
Another Canadian ground lost one penalty point after a review.
However, it kept three penalty points for a different pitch that was judged dangerous.
The ICC Appeals Panel cancelled Gaddafi Stadium’s demerit point after reviewing its pitch rating.
The Lahore pitch was initially rated “Unsatisfactory” during Pakistan’s ODI against Australia on June 4.
The panel found no excessive unevenness or spin in the Gaddafi Stadium surface.
Pakistan’s tri-series with England and Sri Lanka begins October 18 in Rawalpindi.
The Maple Leaf Cricket Ground retained three demerit points after a separate pitch was ruled dangerous.
- Who
- The International Cricket Council, Pakistan, England, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and the USA are mentioned.
- What
- The ICC cancelled Gaddafi Stadium’s demerit point but upheld three demerit points for a dangerous pitch at Canada’s Maple Leaf Cricket Ground.
- When
- The Gaddafi Stadium pitch was reviewed after the June 4 ODI; the tri-series begins October 18 and ends October 31.
- Where
- The tri-series will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan; the other appeals involved Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King City, Toronto.
- Why
- The ICC Appeals Panel found that Gaddafi Stadium’s pitch did not show excessive unevenness or spin, while a separate Maple Leaf Cricket Ground surface was deemed dangerous.
- Gaddafi Stadium ruling
- The ICC cancelled its one demerit point and restored a zero-point record.
- Original rating
- The Lahore pitch was rated “Unsatisfactory” during Pakistan’s ODI against Australia on June 4.
- Review evidence
- The panel reviewed match footage, the Match Referee’s report and captains’ comments.
- Tri-series opening
- Pakistan will play Sri Lanka on October 18 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
- Tri-series final
- The final will be played on October 31 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
- Maple Leaf appeal
- A demerit point for the USA-Netherlands match on June 8 was withdrawn.
- Dangerous pitch penalty
- Three demerit points were upheld for the Canada-Netherlands match on June 16.