Wasim Akram says ODI Cricket should be discarded

Former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram feels One-Day Internationals are just being dragged away and should be eliminated. Visibly, T20I and league cricket have been dominating modern-day cricket. Players are making more money playing just four hours of cricket, and Wasim has every right to criticize the dull ODI Cricket.

He has also backed England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes’ decision to retire from ODI Cricket. Although the decision was saddening, but Wasim feels Stokes has done the right thing. The ex-bowler also commented on how stadiums are not even filled in ODIs in Asian countries.

His statements read,

“I think so (on ODI cricket being scrapped). In England, you have full houses. In India, Pakistan especially, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, one-day cricket you are not going to fill the stadiums,”

“Him [Ben Stokes] deciding that he is retiring from one-day cricket is quite sad but I agree with him. Even as a commentator, one-day cricket is just a drag now, especially after T20. I can imagine as a player. 50 overs, 50 overs, then you have to pre-game, post-game, the lunch game,” said Akram.

Undoubtedly, a rapid rise in franchise and league cricket across the world seems to be the future of modern-day cricket. Wasim feels ODI cricket is dying with time.

“T20 is kind of easier; four hours, the game is over. In the leagues all around the world, there is a lot more money — I suppose this is part and parcel of modern cricket. T20 or Test cricket. One-day cricket is kind of dying. It is quite tiring for a player to play one-day cricket,” he added.

Also, see:

Ben Stokes reveals why he has decided to retire from ODI Cricket