DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, docked Pakistan of five World Test Championship (WTC) points following their 2-0 series whitewash against South Africa.
According to the apex cricketing body, the green shirts were penalised for a slow-over rate during the second Test of the recently-concluded series against South Africa.
Furthermore, the touring side were fined 25 per cent of their match fees.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions, eradicating the need for a formal hearing.
Despite the penalty, Pakistan remain eighth in the WTC standings with 35 points in 12 matches, only three points clear of ninth-placed West Indies.
The points deduction, however, did not affect Pakistan’s WTC campaign as they are already out of contention to qualify for the final.
After a gut-wrenching whitewash defeat against South Africa, Pakistan are all set to play their last WTC 2023-25 cycle as they host West Indies for a two-match series later this month in Multan.
Prior to the series, the visitors will play a three-day practice match against Pakistan Shaheens starting on January 10.
Both squads will convene in Islamabad on January six, with training sessions scheduled for the following days.
The Pakistan squad will begin their preparations on January seven at the Islamabad Club.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean team will hold two intensive training sessions on January 8-9 to gear up for the series.
This tour is a significant milestone for Pakistan cricket, as it marks the first Test series on Pakistani soil featuring the West Indies since their 2006 visit.
While this is the first longer-format series in nearly two decades, the West Indies have toured Pakistan three times since 2018 for limited-overs fixtures.
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.
