Pakistan’s standing on the ICC World Test Championship points table took a hit on Monday after they were penalised two points for maintaining a slow over rate during their 360-run defeat to Australia at Perth in the first of the three Tests.

Though the contest finished on the fourth day of the five-day match, the ICC went ahead and imposed the fine. Pakistan were found two overs short by the match referee, Javagal Srinath, and were also fined 10 per cent of their match fee.

As per the updated ICC’s code of conduct for players and players support personnel, a team is fined five per cent of the match fee for every over short. According to the ICC statement, Shan Masood, the Pakistan captain, pleaded guilty to the offence.

Pakistan now head east to play the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Before the iconic contest, Pakistan will play Victoria XI in a two-day practice match on 22 and 23 December at Junction Oval. The practice match has been slotted in the itinerary as Pakistan aims to get some match practice under the belts in their bid to bring an end to the 15-match losing streak in Australia.

At the start of the tour, Pakistan played Prime Minister’s XI in a first-class match at Canberra. Following the game, Mohammad Hafeez, the touring side’s team director, complained of the home board serving up a slow surface to gain tactical advantage over the visitors during a media interaction.