MCC-ICC discuss end of powerplay, bowlers' 10-over restriction

Karachi: Representatives of the MCC World Cricket Committee who met ICC Cricket Committee members in Dubai last week have suggested the elimination of power play and restriction on the number of overs a bowler can bowl to make one-day internationals more attractive and competitive.

Former Pakistan captain Majid Khan, who attended the meeting in Dubai, said today that several proposals were discussed to make Test cricket and ODIs more viable and attractive for spectators.

"But we can only forward our suggestions to the ICC who will take the final decision," Majid, who also served as chief executive officer of Pakistan Cricket Board between 1996 and 1999, said.

He said one of the proposals discussed was to do away with the power play overs to bring a balance between bowlers and batsmen in one day internationals.

"We have also suggested that some sort of formula be worked out where a captain does not have to use all his bowlers under a quota of overs restriction," he said.

Majid said another suggestion was to make it mandatory for the fielding side to have at least two or three slips for the first 10 to 15 overs and for four fielders to be placed inside the circle in catching positions in the final 10 or five overs.

Presently, it is the prerogative of the fielding side if they want to have slips in place and each bowler is restricted to a maximum of 10 overs. In final power play overs, only two fielders can field outside the circle.

Majid, who was invited to attend the two-day meetings in Dubai in place of West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop by the MCC, said number of other measures to make Test cricket more interesting were also discussed.

"The concept of a day and night Test match is very much under consideration but lot of homework has to be done to make it practically possible," he added.

Majid said that the suggestions and proposals discussed at the joint meeting of the MCC and ICC committees would now be taken up at the ICC chief executives meeting on November 30 and December 1.

"The ICC chief executives committee will decide which proposals or suggestions should be forward to executive board for discussion and approval," he said.

Bureau Report