<p>Pakistan's pitches belonged to "the dark ages," the country's top cricket official Ramiz Raja said Friday, after England plundered runs on a lifeless wicket in Rawalpindi.</p>.<p>The visitors were <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/england-out-for-record-657-pakistan-17-0-in-1st-test-1167769.html">finally all out for 657</a> -- including a record 506 from the first day Thursday -- with four batsmen scoring centuries off the hapless Pakistan bowling.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/unspecified-virus-sweeps-through-england-camp-on-eve-of-pakistan-test-1167048.html">Virus scare looms over Pakistan-England Test series </a></strong> </p>.<p>In reply, Pakistan's openers were nearing centuries of their own at close of play Friday with Abdullah Shafique on 89 and Imam-ul-Haq 90.</p>.<p>Ramiz Raja, a former national captain and now Pakistan Cricket Board chief, said he was "not happy at all" over the state of the pitch, which he admitted was "not a great advert" for Test cricket.</p>.<p>"We live in the dark ages of pitches in Pakistan," he told reporters, adding, "it's embarrassing for us, especially if you have a cricketer as chairman."</p>.<p>On the same pitch in March this year, some 1,187 runs were scored for the loss of just 14 wickets as Pakistan and Australia played out a tame draw.</p>.<p>Rawalpindi was termed "below average" by International Cricket Council match referee Ranjan Madugalle, who also awarded it a demerit point.</p>.<p>A venue is banned for 12 months if it accumulates five demerit points over a period of five years.</p>.<p>Pakistan has played little Test cricket at home for over a decade as security issues forced fixtures to neutral grounds abroad.</p>.<p>After the criticism earlier this year, Raja brought in Australian specialist Damien Hough, who suggested removable drop-in pitches as a solution.</p>.<p>"I think our way out is for drop-in pitches," Raja said.</p>.<p>"If you want to nail England, for example, we've got to prepare a drop-in pitch that turns from ball number one.</p>.<p>"It is better than having this hodge-podge where you get a half-baked pitch which is neither quick nor spin."</p>.<p>Still, despite the placid surface, Raja credited England with making the most of the conditions.</p>.<p>"I've never seen batting like England's on day one," he said."</p>
<p>Pakistan's pitches belonged to "the dark ages," the country's top cricket official Ramiz Raja said Friday, after England plundered runs on a lifeless wicket in Rawalpindi.</p>.<p>The visitors were <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/england-out-for-record-657-pakistan-17-0-in-1st-test-1167769.html">finally all out for 657</a> -- including a record 506 from the first day Thursday -- with four batsmen scoring centuries off the hapless Pakistan bowling.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/unspecified-virus-sweeps-through-england-camp-on-eve-of-pakistan-test-1167048.html">Virus scare looms over Pakistan-England Test series </a></strong> </p>.<p>In reply, Pakistan's openers were nearing centuries of their own at close of play Friday with Abdullah Shafique on 89 and Imam-ul-Haq 90.</p>.<p>Ramiz Raja, a former national captain and now Pakistan Cricket Board chief, said he was "not happy at all" over the state of the pitch, which he admitted was "not a great advert" for Test cricket.</p>.<p>"We live in the dark ages of pitches in Pakistan," he told reporters, adding, "it's embarrassing for us, especially if you have a cricketer as chairman."</p>.<p>On the same pitch in March this year, some 1,187 runs were scored for the loss of just 14 wickets as Pakistan and Australia played out a tame draw.</p>.<p>Rawalpindi was termed "below average" by International Cricket Council match referee Ranjan Madugalle, who also awarded it a demerit point.</p>.<p>A venue is banned for 12 months if it accumulates five demerit points over a period of five years.</p>.<p>Pakistan has played little Test cricket at home for over a decade as security issues forced fixtures to neutral grounds abroad.</p>.<p>After the criticism earlier this year, Raja brought in Australian specialist Damien Hough, who suggested removable drop-in pitches as a solution.</p>.<p>"I think our way out is for drop-in pitches," Raja said.</p>.<p>"If you want to nail England, for example, we've got to prepare a drop-in pitch that turns from ball number one.</p>.<p>"It is better than having this hodge-podge where you get a half-baked pitch which is neither quick nor spin."</p>.<p>Still, despite the placid surface, Raja credited England with making the most of the conditions.</p>.<p>"I've never seen batting like England's on day one," he said."</p>