Pakistan docked eight WTC points after over-rate offence in Bangladesh Test

Pakistan have been fined 40 per cent of their match fee and penalised eight points in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle after being found eight overs short of the required target in the opening Test against Bangladesh. Following the sanction, Pakistan slipped to eighth place in the WTC standings with four points, sitting just above the West Indies cricket team.

The penalty came after Bangladesh scripted a memorable 104-run victory in the first Test at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The hosts produced a remarkable final-day performance, with pacer Nahid Rana starring with a brilliant five-wicket haul to bowl Pakistan out for 163 while chasing a 267-run target.

The sanction was imposed by match referee Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel. Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl within the stipulated time. Additionally, Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions states that teams lose one championship point for every over short, leading to Pakistan being docked eight points.

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood accepted the offence and the proposed sanction, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Kumar Dharmasena, along with third umpire Allahuddien Palekar and fourth umpire Gazi Sohel.

Bangladesh’s emphatic win also reshaped the WTC 2025-27 standings. Led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh climbed to sixth place after securing their first victory of the cycle. Pakistan, meanwhile, dropped further down the table after suffering another setback in the competition.

Shanto played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring a magnificent century in the first innings followed by a composed 87 in the second. His batting efforts on a relatively balanced Dhaka surface laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s historic triumph in the two-match series opener.