Rashid Khan Backs The Idea Of Speeding Up The Big Bash Games Similar To 'The Hundred'

Afghanistan player Rashid Khan has backed the idea of speeding up the games in the Big Bash League by allowing bowlers to bowl two overs from one end thereby eliminating the need to change fielding positions. The Hundred is currently following the idea of bowling 10 balls (2 overs in 100-ball format) from the same end which has helped finish games much faster.

Big Bash is already pondering over the idea of forcing teams to field one extra player inside the ring if the fielding team is not matching the over-rate. Rashid Khan, who plays for Adelaide Strikers in the BBL, feels the reduction of time is pretty much guaranteed if such a rule is applied.

“Bowling two overs from one end … it is so good (because) it doesn’t take that much time. It makes it easier as a fielder as well, that you don’t keep changing, and it’s much much quicker. That’s what I think this (100-ball) format is all about – everything happens quickly, it doesn’t take so much time.“

“I think if it’s in other formats as well, to bowl a couple of overs from the same end, it won’t be a bad idea. It’ll help you bowl the overs very quickly and reduce the time. People watching, they love to watch more cricket faster and faster, rather than it taking so long. It’s a pretty good idea,” he was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“I would love to see these rules in T20’s as well” – Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan plays in most of the leagues around the world. Many of them involve strategic timeouts, like in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which pushes the game past four hours at times. The entire point of introducing T20’s was to speed up the game and provide entertainment to newcomers throughout. With things slowing down considerably, the match becomes taxing.

“I would love to see those rules in T20s as well. As a professional player, you have to be ready and you have to react very quickly, rather than taking so much time. You must have plans A, B, and C and just go and apply that, rather than thinking a lot to change in the field.“

“As a captain, you have to think about all those things, the timing and (getting) things right. It makes cricket faster and faster, I think it’s a pretty good idea. You just don’t waste time. As a player, you shouldn’t do it in any format. If you waste time (in the Hundred), you lose a player and I think that’s something good,” Rashid mentioned.

There is still a long way to go before BBL decides to drastically change the rules of the traditional game like The Hundred. However, there have been growing concerns over the slow-paced matches so leagues around the world will definitely consider it.