Islamabad, Mar 08, 2025: Moeen Ali has shared his concerns over the current state of ODI cricket, indirectly blaming the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the format’s growing unpopularity.
Speaking on the issue, Moeen expressed his belief that several recent rule changes have tilted the game heavily in favor of batters, making life harder for bowlers.
The 37-year-old pointed to fielding restrictions and the introduction of two new balls, which he argues have removed important elements of bowling, such as reverse swing.
Moeen criticized the extra fielder in the post-powerplay overs, calling it a “horrendous” rule that prevents bowlers from building pressure or taking wickets. “Batting averages have skyrocketed, with some players now averaging around 60-70,” he noted.
He further lamented the dominance of modern batting tactics, which, according to him, make it nearly impossible for bowlers to restrict scoring.
Additionally, Moeen highlighted how the surge in T20 franchise leagues, fueled by enormous financial incentives, has contributed to the increasing number of international retirements.
“Franchise cricket is sadly eating it all up,” Moeen stated, suggesting that the lure of lucrative contracts is making it harder for players to resist moving away from international cricket.
