New rules seem to be going against pacers: Taskin on saliva ban

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed, who completed his first individual training at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today following the coronavirus enforced break, said that the newly enacted saliva ban by the ICC will make things difficult for pacers but hoped to adjust with the new rules of the game. The right-armer also mentioned that the new rules seem to be going against the pacers.   

A number of national cricketers resumed individual training at different BCB-run training facilities across the country following the board's decision to make training facilities available for interested cricketers earlier this week.  

"I think the rules are going against the pacers as each day passes," chuckled Taskin as he talked about the saliva ban after completing his running session in Mirpur today. 

The ICC has banned the use of saliva on ball as an interim health safety measure in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic -- a move that has raised concerns about the game becoming even more batsmen friendly. 

The new rules have been applied for the first time in the ongoing three-Test series between England and West Indies that started on July 8 following the coronavirus enforced break. 

"Now the pacers can not use saliva to shine the ball and shining the ball is very important to get some reverse swing off an old ball. I haven't played cricket under these new rules but I saw the Tests between England and West Indies. All the players are celebrating in a different way and are shining the ball in a different way. 

"I think when we [Bangladesh] will resume cricket, we will also find a different way to shine the ball. We will just need to adjust to these rules even though it is difficult for pacers," said Taskin, who was delighted to have returned to the field after a long halt.