Irfan Pathan Recommends How Bowlers Can Get Assistance Without Saliva

May 25, 2020 at 11:39 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
Irfan Pathan Recommends How Bowlers Can Get Assistance Without Saliva

Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan recommends the cricket administrators to prepare bowler-friendly pitches to assist them after ICC is considering to ban saliva on the ball in the wake of coronavirus. The natural substance has now become the carrier of the novel virus so the council will have to explore the other option.

The banning of saliva has also opened the debate on using of artificial substances like vaseline or sandpaper to assist the bowlers. But many cricket experts are against it because they believe it will enhance ball-tampering. However, some have also supported the use of outer substances because otherwise, batsmen will get an unfair advantage.

Nobody fears just pace, it is the combination of pace and swing that troubles them: Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan, who retired from the cricket earlier this year, has given another suggestion to prepare pitches which are bowler-friendly. He also acknowledged that without the use of saliva, the fast bowlers would not be able to swing the ball.

Irfan Pathan, ban saliva
Irfan Pathan (Image Credit: Twitter)

“You will have to make sure that pitches are more suitable to the bowlers than batsmen to negate the advantage (of not being able to use saliva). If you are not able to shine the ball properly, you will not be able to cut the air because of scientific reasons,” Irfan Pathan told PTI.

Indian team, Irfan Pathan
Indian pacers. Image Credit: BCCI.

He added: “And if you are not able to swing it, the batsman will have it easy because nobody fears just pace, it is the combination of pace and swing that troubles them.”

Further, Irfan also added that leaving grasses would not be the only solution to aid pacers. He cited the example of England and the Australian pitches that comprise a considerable amount of moisture. So, he urged that bowlers should get relevant assistance from the pitch to tackle the unavoidable situation.

Related Article
Bharat Arun Supports The Use Of Artificial Substance On Ball
Bharat Arun Supports The Use Of Artificial Substance On Ball

May 28, 2020, 7:36 PM


Irfan Pathan Recommends How Bowlers Can Get Assistance Without Saliva
Irfan Pathan Recommends How Bowlers Can Get Assistance Without Saliva

May 25, 2020, 11:39 PM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner