Picture Credit: Twitter
A lot of discussions have been happening over the nature of the pitches on display in the ongoing Pakistan-Australia Test series. While the first Test saw close to 1200 runs being scored in just three innings for the loss of 14 wickets and the ICC rated the Rawalpindi pitch as "below average," the second Test got away from being penalised after the match ended in a thrilling draw.
With batters looking comfortable on these surfaces and the games heading towards draw, several reports have suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board has suggested the commentators to be careful of the terminologies they use while talking about the pitch on air. More importantly, it has been alleged by several cricket pundits and fans that pitches are arguably not doing enough to allow an even contest between bat and ball.
While it is not yet known whether the reports of commentators being told to monitor their language are correct or not, it definitely looks like so from a clip that is going viral on the internet. In this video, cricketer turned commentator Michael Kasprowicz initially describes the pitch in the ongoing Third Test match in Lahore as "flat" but he quickly apologizes and then uses a more polished "good batting strips" to complete his comment.
Check out the video here:
The third Test match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is well-balanced at the moment with Australia managing 391 runs in the first innings. In response, Pakistan have also posted 90/1 by the end of the second day's play. Usman Khawaja's great run with the bat continued as the southpaw top-scored with a 91. Cameron Green also chipped in with 79 and Steven Smith and Alex Carey scoring half-centuries.
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah were the best bowlers for the Men in Green in the first innings as both of them scalped four wickets each, giving away 79 and 58 runs respectively. Pakistan's lone wicket to fall so far is Imam ul Haq, who was dismissed by skipper Pat Cummins.