Pakistan has decided to do away with the practice of toss in first-class matches from this season's Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, a first in the country's cricketing history. Pakistan is now the second country to end the system in the domestic scene.
First-class matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will see visiting teams having the option for a “no-toss” start to the game. The visiting side will decide unless both teams want to bat first. In this case, the match referee will resort to the toss system.
READ: Coin toss in cricket: A necessity or an outdated ritual?
“In the scenario where both teams want to bat first, then the match referee will have the toss,” a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board said. The source added that one-day international and T20 tournaments will be played with the traditional toss format.
The idea of doing away with the toss, leaving the decision on visiting captains, had been making the rounds since May 2018 when it was presented before the International Cricket Council’s cricket committee meeting, but the committee had decided against it.
However, in first-class county matches in England, the toss became semi-optional and the visiting captain was given the option to bowl first.
PCB CEO Wasim Khan had reportedly floated the idea of introducing it this season in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the board's other officials responded positively.
The PCB intends to launch the new season from September 12 with its premier Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
(With inputs from agencies)
