Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed his displeasure over the bio-bubble rules introduced by International Cricket Council (ICC) amid the COVID pandemic after an umpire refused to hold his cap as he came on to bowl during a Pakistan Super League 2021 match.
Afridi, who plays for the Multan Sultan in the PSL, tried to hand his cap over to the umpire who refused to hold it which made the all-rounder wonder why this particular rule is being followed when players and umpires are staying in the same bio-bubble.
Mohammad Rizwan-led Multan Sultans are yet to open their account after having lost both their games in the 6-team tournament and are languishing in 5th place on the points table.
“Dear @ICC wondering why the umpires are not allowed to hold bowlers cap even though they are in the same bubble as the players/management and even shake hands at the end of the game?” Afridi tweeted on Wednesday.
Cricket is being played under very different circumstances due to the COVID restrictions and players are still getting used to the new rules that were put in place by the ICC before the sport resumed in July last year after an 8-month hiatus.
Players are not allowed to put saliva on the ball or hand their caps over to the umpires when they come on to bowl, among other rules.
