ICC Amends Powerplay Calculations In Historic Rule Change For Shortened T20Is

The ICC has modified the existing powerplay calculations [Source: @ragav_x, @tauseefferaz/X]

In a significant development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has amended the existing powerplay regulations in T20 Internationals. According to the new rule, which will be effective from July 2025, the powerplay calculations will be rounded off to the nearest ball instead of the nearest over in case of shortened T20Is. 

ICC Tweaks Powerplay Calculations In Shortened T20Is

The International Cricket Council has recently introduced a major change to the playing conditions for rain-affected T20Is. Generally, the first six overs of a T20I match come under the powerplay phase, which allows the batting side to exploit the field restrictions. 

If a T20I gets shortened due to inclement weather or some other reason, the existing rule allows the match officials to round off the entire over while making the powerplay calculations. 

However, the ICC has decided to modify the rule in order to ensure fairness in cricket, reported Cricbuzz. As a result, the umpires will be allowed to keep the length of the powerplay strictly restricted to the nearest ball. 

The calculations will be made in such a way that the ratio of maximum overs to the powerplay overs remains the same in case of shortened T20Is. For example, if a T20I match is reduced to eight overs, the batting team will get 2.2 overs in the powerplay. 

On a similar note, for a nine-over contest, the first 2.4 overs will come under the powerplay phase. Earlier, these numbers, 2.2 and 2.4, were rounded off to two and three, respectively, during the calculations. 

ICC's Recent Rule Changes In Cricket

Meanwhile, the apex cricketing body introduced some other groundbreaking changes to the existing playing conditions. This includes the use of stop clocks in Tests, updated DRS protocols in cases of combined reviews, and permission to include permanent like-for-like replacements for injured cricketers. 

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