Pakistan players open up on ‘no toss’ rule

Pakistan players have backed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s decision to introduce the no-toss rule, for the first time, in the upcoming domestic season.

For the first time in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the country’s premier tournament, the visiting team’s captain will have the option to bowl first after accessing the pitch conditions. If the captain opts against it, the normal toss — which is done by the spin of coin — will be done.

“The balance between bat and ball will become better [with this rule]. Some teams which want to win the match also try to leave moisture on the ground and gamble the results of the toss. Because of this, such practices will end," said former captain Azhar Ali in a video shared by PCB.

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Meanwhile Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said: "The home team formulates their squad according to their strengths so it's a good thing that the away team will have this advantage to choose.”

Opener Fakhar Zaman also heaped praise on PCB for taking this step.    

“The PCB has implemented great rules this season. As a cricketer, every suggestion that we had thought of to give to the PCB, they took all those steps on their own which is great for Pakistan cricket," said Zaman.

The purpose behind the introduction of this rule is to provide equal and fair opportunity to the visiting side to exploit assistance from the surface, if any.

Pakistan’s cricketing season 2019-20 will commence from September 14 with the first round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.