DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a series of changes to the playing conditions for Test, ODI and T20 cricket, with some rules taking effect immediately and others being introduced at a later stage.
Under the revised regulations, batters could face penalties for deliberately wasting time. According to the ICC, a batter will initially receive a warning, while a further offence could result in the fielding side being awarded five runs.
The ICC has also confirmed that the rule governing wides on the leg side in ODIs and T20 internationals will become permanent following a trial period.
In Test cricket, the ICC plans to experiment with the use of a pink ball in poor-light conditions, subject to the applicable playing conditions.
The governing body has also introduced stricter specifications for the size and weight of balls used in women’s international cricket. Separate specifications will apply to men’s, women’s and junior cricket.
Another change concerns the final over of the day in Test matches. Under the revised rule, if a wicket falls during the last scheduled over, the day’s play will no longer end immediately. Instead, the remaining deliveries of that over will be completed before play is concluded.
The ICC said the changes are part of its ongoing efforts to refine playing conditions across all three international formats and ensure greater consistency in the application of cricket’s rules.
Pakistan Climbs to Fourth in Latest ICC ODI Rankings
Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its latest ODI rankings, with Pakistan moving up one place to fourth position in the team rankings.
India’s star batter Virat Kohli also climbed one spot to second in the latest ODI batting rankings following a remarkable performance against the West Indies.
Kohli smashed an unbeaten 139 in the first match of the series, including nine sixes. The innings marked the 55th ODI century of his career and lifted his rating points to 796.
India captain Shubman Gill retained the top position with 816 rating points, while New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell remained third with 794 points. India’s Rohit Sharma occupies fourth place with 719 points.
Among Pakistani players, Babar Azam is ranked sixth in the ODI batting rankings, while Shaheen Shah Afridi slipped one place to eighth in the bowling rankings.
Pakistan’s overall position in the ODI team rankings improved by one place, moving the national side up to fourth.
September 27 also witnessed a rare feat in men’s ODI cricket, with six centuries scored in a single day. South Africa’s Temba Bavuma and David Miller, West Indies’ Justin Greaves, and England’s Tom Banton were among the batters who scored hundreds.
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis moved up three places to a career-best seventh position after scoring 121 runs.
In the ODI bowling rankings, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj is third, India’s Kuldeep Yadav is fifth, while Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has moved into 10th place.
