ICC overturns demerit point for Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Appeals Panel has overturned a demerit point previously imposed on Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The penalty was originally issued following the third ODI between Pakistan and Australia in June 2026, after match referee Graeme Labrooy rated the pitch as “unsatisfactory” for being “slow and low.”

Following an appeal by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the ICC panel reviewed match footage, the referee's report, and comments from team captains. The panel concluded that the pitch “did not demonstrate excessive unevenness or spin,” leading to the rescinded rating.

As a result of this decision, the demerit point has been removed from the stadium’s record, leaving the venue with zero demerit points. This ruling restores the stadium’s standing under the ICC’s pitch-monitoring system, where the accumulation of points can lead to restrictions on hosting international matches.