New Delhi, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pakistan’s World Test Championship (WTC) campaign has suffered another setback after the International Cricket Council imposed an 11-point deduction for a slow over-rate during their third Test against England at Edgbaston.
The penalty, combined with a fine of 50 per cent of the players’ match fees, was imposed after Pakistan were found to be 11 overs short of their required rate, even after time allowances were taken into account. England won the Birmingham Test by eight wickets to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
The charges were brought by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Allahudien Palekar and fourth umpire Russell Warren. Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions on the Babar Azam-led Pakistan side.
Pakistan had already been at the bottom of the nine-team WTC standings following their defeat at Birmingham, with a points percentage (PCT) of 14.81. The latest deduction has reduced their PCT to just 4.63 per cent.
Pakistan now have five points from nine matches in the ongoing WTC cycle, having won two and lost seven. Their slow-over-rate violations have cost them 19 of the 24 points they had earned. They had previously been docked eight points for a slow over-rate in the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh in May.
Australia remain top of the WTC table with 96 points and an 80 per cent PCT after their 1-1 draw against Bangladesh. South Africa are second with 36 points and a 75 per cent PCT, while New Zealand are third with a 72.22 per cent PCT from six matches.
Bangladesh are fourth with a 55.56 per cent PCT, ahead of India, who have 68 points from 11 matches and a 51.52 per cent PCT. India recently won their two-Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 after the second match ended without a victory.
England are sixth with a 38.54 per cent PCT, followed by Sri Lanka on 33.33 per cent and West Indies on 20.83 per cent.
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