Wasim Akram heavily criticized the IPL’s Impact Player Rule, citing that it unnecessarily calls for a disbalance between batting and bowling.
After several players and cricket experts shared their opinions on the IPL’s impact player rule, Wasim Akram made a blunt comment, expressing his dislike for it.
Speaking with Sportskeeda in ‘SK Match ki Baat’, Akram said, “I don’t like the Impact Player rule at all. I liked what they did in the Big Bash League: they had four overs of powerplay upfront, and then the batting team could take the remaining two overs anytime between 11 and 20 overs. They called it a power surge. This impact rule has finished the purpose of all-rounders.”
Akram sees the rule as a major misstep, harming the balance between bat and ball and creating a lopsided game. Akram said that the Impact Player rule benefits batters disproportionately. The fear of being replaced compels them to take even greater risks, leading to a constant barrage of high-scoring matches.
Akram suggested the Big Bash League’s Power Surge rule as a superior alternative. This rule allows batting teams to strategically use two of their powerplay overs in the later stages of the innings, promoting tactical variety without upsetting the overall balance of the game.
“It (Impact Player rule) has certainly led to big totals being scored consistently. You want to see more close games. Yes 270 playing 270 is also a close game, but it should be a one-off. It need not be that 250 is becoming a frequent occurrence. Two-three years ago no one would have thought this would happen,” remarked Akram highlighting the unusual surge in IPL scores because of the rule.
“I feel pitches should be such that even a 170 score could produce an interesting game. The new ball should help the bowlers and then the batters once set can reap the rewards. The cricket boards around the world need to think about this,” added the legendary pacer, voicing his concern for the bowlers in T20 cricket.
Last Updated on May 5, 2024
