WEBDESK: Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has voiced strong criticism against the ICC’s current One Day International (ODI) rules, calling them “terrible” for the game. He believes that recent changes have made ODIs too batter-friendly, reducing the impact of bowlers and making the format less competitive.
In a recent interview, Moeen Ali pointed out that using two new balls in ODIs and strict fielding restrictions have significantly tilted the game in favor of batters. He believes these changes have made it harder for bowlers to make an impact, leading to high-scoring but one-sided contests.
ODI Cricket Losing Its Charm
According to Moeen Ali, these rules have contributed to the decline of ODI cricket’s popularity. Many players are now shifting their focus to T20 franchise leagues, which offer better financial opportunities and more excitement for fans. He suggested that the ICC should revisit these rules to make the format more balanced and engaging.
“The format has almost completely died out, apart from World Cups and Champions Trophy. It is the worst format to play and I think there are many reasons for that,” Moeen said.
He pointed to rule changes that have led to a rise in batters’ averages, arguing that these prevent bowlers from applying sustained pressure.
“I think the rules are terrible. To have that extra fielder after (the first powerplay), I think it’s a horrendous rule for taking wickets, building any sort of pressure. Guys are averaging 60, 70 in ODI cricket now because of that,” he said.
He further talked about the loss of reverse swing due to the addition of two new balls.
“On top of all this, you have two new balls, you lose the reverse swing, you lose the art of trying to hit a softer ball,” he said.
“Everything’s always in the middle and crisp and it’s flying off your bat and stuff. I think for those reasons, the cricket’s just died. 50-over cricket has died,” he added.
Future of ODIs
With the rise of T20 cricket and changing player preferences, Moeen Ali fears that ODIs could lose relevance if adjustments are not made. He urged cricket’s governing body to consider changes that bring back the excitement and competitiveness that once defined the format.
As cricket continues to evolve, Moeen Ali’s concerns highlight an ongoing debate about the future of ODIs and the need for reforms to keep the format alive.
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