India, June 9 -- The ICC has rated the pitches used at Lord's and Gaddafi Stadium as "Unsatisfactory", handing both venues one demerit point each under its Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

The sanction relates to the surface used for the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord's in London and the third ODI between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The reports were submitted by match referees Andy Pycroft and Graeme La Brooy, who raised concerns after feedback from match officials and the captains.

The Lord's pitch came under scrutiny after a Test that heavily favoured the bowlers. According to Pycroft, the surface produced excessive seam movement, variable bounce and several deliveries that kept e...