ICC Rescinds Demerit Point for Gaddafi Stadium

The International Cricket Council has rescinded a demerit point imposed on Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, removing any immediate risk of a suspension from hosting international matches. The decision, announced on August 20, 2026, followed an appeal by the Pakistan Cricket Board against a rating given to the pitch used for the third One-Day International against Australia on June 4.

The ICC Appeals Panel reviewed the case and concluded that, while the match referee had correctly followed the governing body's Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process guidelines, the surface did not meet the threshold for an "Unsatisfactory" rating. In a statement, the ICC said the panel found that the pitch "did not exhibit excessive unevenness or spin" during the match, a low-scoring encounter won by Pakistan by four wickets. The demerit point, which had been assigned based on the pitch being slow and low, has now been withdrawn, leaving Gaddafi Stadium with a clean record of zero points.

The announcement was part of a wider set of rulings from the same appeal panel. It also addressed two demerit points related to matches held at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King City, Toronto. The panel withdrew a...