Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has suggested a rule change ahead of the fourth T20I against Australia. Pathan feels any six, which is more than 100 meters, should be awarded eight or 10 runs to the team.
Australia’s hard-hitter Tim David clobbered a gargantuan 129 meters six against Axar Patel in the third T20I at Hobart. In the past, former England swashbuckling batter Kevin Pietersen suggested the same rule to the ICC.
David scored a blistering knock of 74 runs off 38 balls with the help of eight fours and five sixes after he was promoted to number four. Thus, the lanky batter played a key role in helping Australia post a competitive total of 186 runs on the board but it was not enough in the end.
Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “Tim David was in the limelight for hitting a 129m six to Axar Patel. Kevin Pietersen has said it for many years, and even I have been saying it that if a batter hits a six longer than 100 meters, he should get eight runs. Now you decide eight, 10, or whatever it is. But this change is very important.”
“There have always been changes, be it with the powerplay, the red ball, the new ball, or reducing the 60-over ODI to 50 overs. Then there came T20 cricket, and we have also seen T10 cricket, which I’ve played too. So, we have seen the invention of new rules in cricket.”
Pathan reckons the value of power-hitters will rise if the rule is implemented by the governing body.
“A batter getting eight or 10 runs for a six longer than 100 meters is bound to happen. This change is bound to happen either now or in the future. The sooner it happens, the better it is. It should definitely happen in T20s. When that happens, the value of power-hitters will increase even more.”
Meanwhile, Australia has released players like Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head so that the duo can start their preparations for the Ashes. Pathan said the pair’s absence will be good for India.
He concluded, “Now that Australia will be without these two main players, it will be more beneficial for India, as they already have the momentum on their side after the last match. We saw in the last match how our batters played freely due to the absence of Hazlewood. Playing without an experienced bowler makes a big difference for any team, and Hazlewood brings that experience.”
The fourth T20I between India and Australia will be played on Thursday at the Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast.
