Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has criticized the current ODI cricket rules that favor batsmen and expressed concerns about players choosing T20 leagues over the 50-over format.
Moeen’s international cricket career includes 138 ODIs where he scored 2,355 runs and took 111 wickets.
He also played 68 Tests, scoring over 3000 runs and claiming more than 200 wickets before retiring from international cricket in September last year.
Moeen is set to play for Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming IPL.
“The format has almost completely died out, apart from World Cups and Champions Trophy. It is the worst format to play and I think there are many reasons for that,” Moeen told Talksport Cricket.
The cricket rules have evolved over time. Previously, five fielders were allowed outside the circle after the first powerplay, but now only four are permitted.
Additionally, two new balls are used during matches, making it easier for batsmen to score.
“I think the rules are terrible. To have that extra fielder after (the first powerplay), I think it’s a horrendous rule for taking wickets, building any sort of pressure. Guys are averaging 60, 70 in ODI cricket now because of that.
“When you’re bowling at somebody and you put a little bit of pressure, he just reverse-sweeps and it’s not even a single, it’s a four. It’s just there’s always that option available for the batters (to score).”
The use of two new balls has affected the game’s dynamics. This change has eliminated reverse swing and altered batting conditions.
“On top of all this, you have two new balls, you lose the reverse swing, you lose the art of trying to hit a softer ball.
“Everything’s always in the middle and crisp and it’s flying off your bat and stuff. I think for those reasons, the cricket’s just died. 50-over cricket has died,” Moeen continued.
Moeen warned that there are cricketers who would retire prematurely due to the money offered in T20 leagues.
“I think franchise cricket is sadly eating it all up and the problem is the money that’s out there and the money that’s being thrown out there. It’s so much that people just can’t turn it down. It’s very difficult.
“There are probably guys who are probably going to retire in the next couple of years from international cricket to play franchise cricket,” Moeen added.