Shoaib Akhtar calls for rule changes: Fast bowlers need more freedom

Dubai: Shoaib Akhtar still wants to see fear in batters’ eyes. Decades after retiring, the Pakistan speedster — once the fastest bowler in the world — believes modern cricket has softened fast bowlers with restrictive rules. He argues that limiting bouncers and enforcing strict field placements have tilted the game in favour of batters, stripping white-ball cricket of its aggression.

“Fast bowlers are being crippled,” Akhtar said, voicing his frustration over the current laws in limited-overs cricket. The Pakistan legend, who famously broke the 100mph barrier, believes that restrictions on bouncers and defensive field settings have taken the edge off pace bowling, allowing batters to dominate.

White-ball cricket lacks aggression

Akhtar feels that white-ball cricket has lost its bite, with pacers unable to use bouncers effectively due to current rules.

“They travel a lot, and they are teammates, one way or another. I can’t blame those players because they are born in an era where you see variation, not aggression,” Akhtar, DP World ILT20 Ambassador and commentator, told the media on Wednesday.

“Back in the day, you only had Test matches and One-Day Internationals. You had plenty of time, and you didn’t mingle with other teams as often as now. I think the rivalry has gone down. The aggression is definitely not there. I want to see the ICC relax the rules and allow three bouncers per over in Twenty20. Then, I will see how many people can play without getting hurt. It will create fear in the batters. There is nothing for the bowlers now. An even contest between bat and ball is what the fans would love to watch.”

He went on to add, “Ice hockey, cycling, rugby, and football all have some form of contact and promote aggression. I don’t agree with this kind of cricket.”

‘Fast bowlers should think like fast bowlers’

The evolution of Twenty20 cricket has given bowlers opportunities to develop variations and outthink batters. However, Akhtar believes a fast bowler should never compromise on pace.

“Once you’re born as a fast bowler, you should bowl as a rapid fast bowler. You should never slow down your pace but mix and match your bouncers — that will ensure the batters stay on the back foot. I was studying my stats. I bowled around 23,000 balls, and about 10,000 of them were bouncers. I love fast bowling. Bowling in the right areas and maintaining a good length matter — that’s what gets you wickets,” Akhtar said.

He then explained how he would approach bowling in today’s aggressive cricket.

“The bowling area is never going to change. So you should bowl in the right areas and always ask the right questions with variations — slower ones, slower bouncers, back-of-the-hand deliveries. But if you can seam the ball at 145-150 kmph, you should always look to bowl between the stumps.”

Backing Sharjah Warriorz for the title

Akhtar has backed Sharjah Warriorz to win the DP World ILT20 Season 3 title.

“I think my heart goes for Sharjah Warriorz because they started off late in finding their rhythm in the tournament. They gained momentum to be in the place where they are today,” he said on Wednesday.

Tim Seifert’s stellar cameo sealed a stunning six-wicket win for Sharjah Warriorz against defending champions MI Emirates in their Eliminator clash at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Thursday evening. They will now face Desert Vipers in Qualifier 2 on Friday for a spot in the final.

With both former champions — Gulf Giants and MI Emirates — knocked out, Season 3 will see a new champion.

For Akhtar, cricket should be a battle, not just a showcase of big hitting. His call for more bouncers isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about restoring balance between bat and ball. Whether the ICC listens or not, one thing is certain: the Rawalpindi Express still refuses to slow down.