ENG v PAK 2020: Kris Srikkanth calls for fairer balance between bat and ball after England's mighty chase 

England made short work of the 196-run target against Pakistan in second T20I.

By Kashish Chadha - 01 Sep, 2020

As England chased down the massive target of 196 against Pakistan without breaking much sweat in the second T20I in Manchester on Sunday (August 30), former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth called for a more level playing field for the bowlers in the game's shortest format. 

Srikkanth was aghast at the ease at which the likes of Babar Azam (56), Mohammad Hafeez (69) took their team near the 200 mark in the first half, before their efforts were completely outdone by Jonny Bairstow (44), Dawid Malan (54*) and Eoin Morgan (66). 

Read Also: Younis Khan advises Babar Azam to make decisions on his own as Pakistan captain

"As expected, England's firepower with the bat carried them through. No total looks safe these days, especially against England who seem to have cracked the limited-overs code at last," wrote Srikkanth in his column for the Times of India

"At no stage were the hosts in any trouble against a daunting target. This brings to focus where this format is tilting heavily in the favour of the bat. There must be something in the wicket to make it a better contest." 

"On the same day, we also saw a total of 92 (in CPL 2020) defended, despite the opponents not being bowled out. It can't be that extreme either. Low and slow turners do provide gripping contest, but again, that should not become the norm," he added. 

England's chase was the highest successful in T20Is against Pakistan, overcoming the previous best by Australia in the 2010 World Cup semi-final in St Lucia. 

Srikkanth pointed out the number of factors that combine to result in such high-scoring encounters. 

"When 50-overs cricket was still in its infancy, even flat wickets produced only four runs per over on an average. Then with the advent of heavier bats, complete transformation to white ball, afternoon starts and even more docile tracks ensured the new normal was run-a-ball."

"In my opinion, a score of around 150-160 and giving the team batting second an equal chance would make for quality viewing. After all, the fans deserve it. Now that T20 is a part of the regular mix in international schedules as well, stakeholders should ensure interest is kept alive, else it would go the same way one-day cricket has," he wrote. 

However, the 60-year-old praised Morgan and Malan for their fluent knocks under the pressure of a big chase. 

"All said, it was fascinating to watch Eoin Morgan and David Malan play fearless cricket. The scoreboard pressure hardly had any effect on their free-flowing game. Backing your instincts and playing your natural game does have its advantages," Srikkanth concluded. 

England will be pressing for a second successive win that would seal the three-match series 2-0 in the third and final T20I this Tuesday (September 1). The first match was abandoned due to heavy rains. 

By Kashish Chadha - 01 Sep, 2020

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