KARACHI, 15 December 2005 — Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq yesterday called for scrapping the new super-sub rule in one-day cricket and suggested that if it continued the naming of a substitute player should happen after the toss.
“In the first place, the super-sub rule should be scrapped from limited-overs cricket,” Inzamam told reporters ahead of today’s day-night one-dayer against England.
“If the rule was to be continued naming of substitute player should be allowed after the toss,” he said.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a substitute system in May this year which allows sides to replace a player at any stage of a one-day international.
The replaced player is ruled out of the rest of the match, while the replacement is entitled to assume any remaining batting or bowling duties. But the rule has come under criticism as a substitute has to be named before the toss, making it more favorable for the team winning the toss. Australian captain Ricky Ponting also called for the rule to be scrapped in its current form, while South African captain Graeme Smith and Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer called for its review.
The ICC, however, justified the rule and said it would remain on trial until March next year.
Pakistan’s first use of the rule was spoiled when they lost the toss during their 42-run loss in the first match in Lahore on Saturday.
Pakistan levelled the series with a thumping seven-wicket win in Monday’s second match, also played in Lahore.
Inzamam defended naming off-spinner Arshad Khan as super-sub in both the matches.
“We named Arshad because we thought the pitch at Lahore stadium would help spinners,” said Inzamam.
In contrast, England’s super-sub Liam Plunkett came into the side for Kevin Pietersen and took 3-51 on debut on Saturday, and Vikram Solanki came into bat as super-sub in the second match, scoring 38 not out.
England, already without their injured captain Michael Vaughan and spinner Ashley Giles, were further hit after hard-hitting batsman Kevin Pietersen had to return home Tuesday with back problem and rib cage injury.
Solanki said the absence of Pietersen would not derail England’s efforts to win the one-day series.
“The international tours are all about dealing with such problems and we as as squad we will deal with that,” said Solanki.
The tourists, who have not asked for a replacement to their squad for Pietersen, arrived in the troubled city of Karachi yesterday afternoon and were escorted to hotel under heavy security.
