PAK vs ENG: Watch: Joe Root Shines The Ball On Jack Leach's Head During The Ongoing Rawalpindi Test vs Pakistan

In the ongoing first Test between England and Pakistan in Rawalpindi, England batter Joe Root was seen shining the ball on spinner Jack Leach’s head.

Players are no longer permitted to use saliva to shine the ball as a result of changes made to the rules and regulations by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

This prohibition had been in force in international cricket for over two years as a Covid-related temporary measure before being declared permanent in October 2022.

Covid-19 had implemented the restriction to prevent viral spread on the pitch. The rule went into effect in July 2020, when cricket resumed after a sabbatical. During the saliva ban, the players used to sweat to shine the ball, which proved to be efficient.

Watch: Joe Root Shines The Ball On Jack Leach’s Head

Former England captain Joe Root took an action on the field that garnered a lot of attention after realizing that wickets were not coming easily. The amusing thing was that the Englishman used Jack Leach’s bald head to wipe away all the sweat from there before the 73rd over when he went to shine the ball. Not to mention that saliva, which was the best method for sparkling the ball, is no longer allowed to be used by players.

"Absolutely ingenious!"

Root finds a unique way of shining the ball with the help of Leach ??#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/mYkmfI0lhK

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 3, 2022

Following the event on the field, commentator David Gower explained the use of sweat.

“It is ingenious, absolutely ingenious because you are no longer allowed to use saliva. Tests have apparently proven that sweat is much more effective in shining the ball as compared to saliva,” said Gower.

On the third day of the first Test, Pakistan’s openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq both scored hundreds against England as a flat Rawalpindi Stadium wicket continued to provide runs.

Pakistan began day three with 181 without a loss in response to England’s massive 657, needing 458 to escape the follow-on.

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