"Australians would abuse me once, I would abuse them thrice"- Shoaib Akhtar wants ICC to relax rules, allow players to abuse each other a bit
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar wants the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relax some rules related to on-field sledging. Akhtar feels that on-field aggression draws more viewers, which ultimately benefits cricket.
During an appearance on the TNKS podcast, Shoaib Akhtar gave his honest opinion on the current state of cricket. Recently, Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was fined 20 percent of his match fees and also received a demerit point for his spat with Australian batter Travis Head in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test.
Akhtar opined that the TRP of cricket has been reducing because the board's rules do not allow players to become characters.
"There is no aggression in today's cricket. What's there? Nothing. I can't see anything there. If the Australians were of that era, they would insult you so badly. They would abuse so much. Australians would abuse me once, I would abuse them thrice. I would start fighting with them before the match during the breakfast itself," Akhtar said. [30.02 onwards].
"The thing is there are no more 'stars' in cricket. There was a time when each team had 10 characters. Today there are none. What will you sell? I am trying to explain to you why is the viewership, TRP of cricket coming down," he added.
Akhtar further disclosed that he has a good idea about viewership numbers because he works as a broadcaster. He also suggested the PCB launch a 2.0 version of PSL.
"Let them push each other, punch each other here or there, it's okay" - Shoaib Akhtar wants charisma back in cricket
During the same show, Shoaib Akhtar added that the International Cricket Council should change some rules by using their brain. He felt that the players should have permission to abuse each other and even punch or push each other a bit in the heat of the moment.
"ICC should use their brain. They should allow fast bowlers to bowl bouncers. Allow players to abuse each other a little bit, what's wrong in that? Let them push each other, punch each other here or there, it's okay. What's wrong in that? Nothing happens to the players, but it will bring charisma back in cricket," Akhtar concluded.
It will be interesting to see if the ICC changes its rules after Akhtar's advice. As far as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is concerned, the third Test between India and Australia will start on Saturday, December 14, at 5.50 am IST.