'Today’s Cricket Is Fraud' - Shoaib Akhtar Slams ICC Regulations Favoring The Batting Side
Former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar comes down hard at the governing body for allowing the game to drift more in favor of the batting side. Akhtar expressed his dissatisfaction with how the usage of two balls and the latest fielding restrictions outside the 30-yard circle have enabled modern-era batters to dominate the proceedings to its fullest.
Speaking on a podcast on Pro Pakistani channel, Akhtar praised the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Inzamam Ul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, and Jacques Kallis who battled in less favorable conditions and scored briskly against the softer balls.
“Today’s cricket is fraud. Batters are scoring 30,000 runs with the introduction of two new balls. I respect Sachin Tendulkar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, and Jacques Kallis because they scored runs with soft balls in 50 overs. Only one ball was used. I am with anyone, who is scoring runs. However, they will come to know if six fielders are placed outside the 30-yard circle.”
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As per Akhtar’s viewpoint, bowlers have been reduced to mere bowling machines as the willow holders have gained a significant upper hand following the recent rule changes that predominately favor the batting side. In addition to the batting-friendly ICC regulations, Akhtar further stated that the quality of bowlers has also deteriorated allowing the batters to be more ruthless in their onslaught.
The 48-year-old has observed that the bowlers of the current generation have been going around the park in the ongoing World Cup edition. Akhtar is not the first person to express his discontent over ICC’s unwavering preference for the batters. Previously, Gautam Gambhir also lambasted the governing body for offering excessive advantage to the batters at the expense of the bowlers.
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