With travelling restrictions being eased in its member countries, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a few guidelines on how training and on-field play could be resumed in the near future.
But Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan says there needs to be more clarity on certain rules before players can find it absolutely safe to step on the field again despite the health risk posed by COVID-19.
"Now we are hearing that it (virus) might spread around 12 feet, not just three or six. So does it mean the two batsmen can't meet at the end of the over?" newspaper 'Prothom Alo' quoted Shakib as saying.
"They will stand at their ends? Won't there be any crowd in the stadium? Will the wicketkeeper stand afar? What would happen to close-in fielders? These things require discussions," added the 33-year-old, who is serving a one-year ban for failing to report a corrupt approach.
The guidelines include the appointment of a chief medical officer, who will ensure the rules are being implemented, a 14-day pre-match isolation training camp and use of gloves by umpires while handling the ball among others.
Wary of the circumstances, however, Shakib hopes the governing body would reassess things before letting any form of cricket restart.
"I don't think they (ICC) will take a chance before they are very sure. Whatever it is, life comes first. I am sure they will think of safety first," he said.
For Shakib, time away from the game has been even more frustrating because of his ban, which ends only in October.
"I am counting days in two ways. One, when will corona be over, and the other, when will my suspension end. I am going through a tough time. Although there's no cricket going on anywhere, I know that if it starts tomorrow, I won't be able to play cricket."
"When you are restricted about something, whether others talk about it or not, you know yourself about what you are going through," he added.
(Inputs from PTI)
