ICC Brings New Rules to Test Cricket from 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a set of new rules for Test matches. These changes will come into effect with the next World Test Championship cycle starting in 2025. The goal is to make the game smoother, quicker, and fair for everyone.

Stop Clock Between Overs

To keep the game moving, a stop clock will now be used in test matches. The fielding team must begin the next over within 60 seconds of the previous one ending. If they don’t follow this rule, they will get two warnings. After that, for every delay, the batting team will be given five extra runs. This warning count will reset after every 80 overs. This rule has already been used in one-day and T20 matches since June 2024.

ALSO READ: "Zarurat padegi to ghar se bulayange" - Former India batter reveals Rishabh Pant's savage reply to Ranji Trophy snub

No Ball Change for Saliva Use

The use of saliva on the ball is still banned, but now the umpires do not have to change the ball if it happens. This change is aimed at stopping teams from using saliva on purpose just to get the ball replaced. The ball will only be changed if its condition has clearly been affected. DRS Will Keep 'Out' as Default in Some Reviews

If a batter is given out and decides to review the decision, but the original reason (like caught behind) is found to be wrong, the umpire can still check if the batter is out in another way (like LBW). In such cases, the decision will stay as out unless it is clearly not out. So, if the ball-tracking shows umpire’s call, the batter will still be given out.

Reviews Will Follow the Right Order

When more than one event happens on a ball, like an LBW appeal followed by a run-out, and both are reviewed, the third umpire will now check things in the order they happened. This helps avoid confusion and keeps the process clear.

Catch on a No-Ball Will Still Be Reviewed

Earlier, if a catch was taken on a no-ball, the third umpire would not check if the catch was clean. Now, even if it is a no-ball, the umpires will check if the catch was taken fairly. If the catch is clean, the batting team will only get one run for the no-ball. If it’s not clean, they will get whatever runs they scored off the ball.

Penalty for Fake or Short Runs

If batters are found to take a short run on purpose to get extra advantage, they will be penalized with five runs. Also, in such cases, the fielding team can decide which batter they want to stay on strike for the next ball.

Trial for Replacement Players

The ICC has suggested that domestic cricket boards try out a new rule where a team can replace a player who suffers a serious external injury. The replacement must be a like-for-like player, meaning similar in skills or role. This will first be tested in domestic first-class matches.

In a shocking turn of events, Faruque Ahmed has been removed as the president of BCB with immediate effect. The announcement of his termination was issued by the National Sports Council (NSC) after eight BCB directors voted in favour of his removal from the role of BCB president. Faruque's tenure as a BCB president lasted nine months and eight days. He was first appointed as the BCB president following the ouster of Nazmul Hasan at a time when Bangladesh was grappling with violent student protests nationwide. 

See also: IPL 2025: GT vs MI Eliminator - A Head to Head breakdown

BCB directors lodge a no-confidence letter against Faruque 

It is widely reported that as many as eight BCB directors stood against him to issue a no-confidence letter against Faruque. The letter was then formally submitted to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, urging the authority to remove him from his position. This development came shortly after the government had informed BCB that they were no longer interested in retaining him for this position. 

The letter said the following:

"In light of the no-confidence letter sent by eight BCB directors against Faruque Ahmed, and the report presented by the fact-finding committee about the BPL, his nomination as the representative of the National Sports Council (sports ministry) has been cancelled."

Despite this unfortunate development, Faruque stands firm and has vowed not to back down under government pressure. He demands that the government offer a reasonable explanation for his removal. In an official correspondence dated May 29 and directed to the chief executive officer of the BCB, the NSC justified the use of Section 13.2(b)(4) of its legislation to initiate the termination of Faruque's role on the BCB board. The correspondence validated the rumors regarding Faruque's dismissal.

Consequences for Bangladesh Cricket Board

The government's intervention to sack Farque from his position can have dire consequences for Bangladesh cricket. As per regulatory norms stated in ICC's rulebook, full member nations as well as associate nations must be free from government interference. Furthermore, the ICC expects its members to manage their affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation, or administration of cricket in their country.

A breach of this law may result in a swift suspension from the governing body. Government intervention in sports is not something new. Back in 2023, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) was temporarily suspended by the ICC when their then-sports minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, decided to dismiss the national cricketing board following the national team’s poor run in the 2023 World Cup.

Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu was given a formal warning after violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the recent Sri Lanka tri-series. The offense was committed in a high-scoring group stage game against South Africa in Colombo, in which the Proteas emerged victorious. Athapaththu was penalized 10 percent of her match fee and issued one demerit point for her conduct, which was her first offense within a span of 24 months. The infringement was in terms of an emotional outburst that resulted in the damage of her equipment, underscoring the ICC's no-nonsense approach to keeping its players in line during international competitions.

The incident directly contravened Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with the "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an international match." The incident occurred in the 32nd over of South Africa's innings when Athapaththu, having conceded a four to Annerie Dercksen, took off her sunglasses and crushed them on the ground, shattering them into pieces. The offense was charged by on-field umpires Anna Harris and Dedunu de Silva, third umpire Lyndon Hannibal, and fourth umpire Nimali Perera, who together reported the infringement.

Athapaththu pleaded the offense and accepted Michelle Pereira of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees' suggested sanctions, precluding the requirement for a hearing. Level 1 offenses, as defined by the ICC, have punishments that range from a formal reprimand to a maximum of 50 percent of a player's match fee, with one or two demerit points. This event is a reminder of staying calm under fire, especially for a captain commanding her side on home ground.

Tri-Series Outcome and Context

The tri-series, which was held in Sri Lanka, ended with India being the champions after beating the hosts by 97 runs in the last match. There were competitive games in the tournament, and the win of South Africa against Sri Lanka in the group stages proved the level of competition. Athapaththu's disciplinary failure, although significant, could not eclipse her performance as a player and a leader throughout the series.

Sri Lanka skipper finds herself in trouble following her actions in the tri-series at home 👀

Read more ⬇️https://t.co/c76hBKyKEz

— ICC (@ICC) May 12, 2025

Also Read: Virat Kohli misses out on massive record in Tests and ODIs

India's triumph was marked by standout individual performances, such as Smriti Mandhana's century in the final, putting her in an elite list alongside Mithali Raj in Indian cricket history. For Sri Lanka, the tournament served as useful experience, while Athapaththu's incident highlighted the importance of avoiding professional lapses, particularly in high-pressure matches under the eyes of global regulations.