Unimpressed Usman Khawaja Criticises New 'Complicated' BBL Rules

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja has criticised the newly announced rules for the upcoming season of the Big Bash League. The organisers have introduced ‘power Surge’, ‘X-factor Player’ and ‘Bash Boost’ as the three new rules to make the tournament more appealing for the audience.

The ‘Power Surge’ will consist of a two-over period where the fielding side is allowed only two fielders outside the inner ring. The batting team will be allowed to use it at any given time from the 11th over of the innings onwards. At the same time, the powerplay at the start of the innings has been reduced to four overs from six.

On the other hand, the ‘X-factor Player’ will be named as the 12th or 13th player at the start of the game. However, he can get into the game at the 10th over of the first innings, replacing any player who is yet to bat, or has not bowled more than one over.

The ‘Bash Boost’ is a bonus point given midway through the second innings. The chasing side will earn the bonus point “if they’re above the equivalent 10-over score of their opposition”.

But if the chasing team is behind at the 10-over mark, the fielding side will be awarded with the point. As a result of this rule, teams can now score four points every game since the points awarded for a win in general has been increased to three points. Previously, the teams got two points for a win.

Usman Khawaja unimpressed with the new rules:

A day after the new rules were announced, Usman Khawaja took to Twitter to express his thoughts over the same. The Sydney Thunder batsman made it crystal clear that he was not at all impressed with the new rules which would ‘complicate what’s a very complicated game for newcomers’.

“So had a day to think about new BBL rules. My biggest issue is that the BBL is all about (and great at) getting new people involved whom have never played,” tweeted Usman Khawaja.

“But the rule changes complicate what’s already a very complicated game (for newcomers). Shouldn’t we be going the other way?” he added.

So had a day to think about new BBL rules. My biggest issue is that the BBL is all about (and great at) getting new people involved whom have never played. But the rule changes complicate what's already a very complicated game (for newcomers). Shouldn't we be going the other way?

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) November 17, 2020

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