The PCB has hired Australian pitch curator Tony Hemming to improve playing surfaces in the country after facing staunch criticism in back-to-back Test matches.

Pakistan is due to host the ICC’s Champions Trophy from 19 February to 9 March next year.

“Hemming has been appointed as the new head curator on a two-year contract to prepare pitches for the upcoming five Tests in the home season,” the board said in a statement.

Hemming will oversee pitch preparations ahead of two Tests against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi from 21 August and in Karachi from 30 August.

He will also help prepare for three Tests against England in October.

Pakistan’s Rawalpindi stadium was awarded below-average ratings following high-scoring Tests against Australia in 2022 and England in 2021.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said the pitch “did not provide a fair contest” while renowned batsman Steve Smith slammed it as “benign”.

Hemming has more than four decades of experience and previously served as the ICC’s head curator for academies.

© Agence France-Presse