Tip: tap a highlighted word to see its meaning in Urdu.
A new cricket rule helps bowlers use reverse swing in one-day matches.
Level 1 · Easy
A rule change is helping bowlers in one-day cricket. In July 2025, cricket rules changed. Captains can now select one ball after 34 overs to finish the .
This old ball helps fast bowlers get more reverse swing. Because of this, scoring runs at the end of the match is harder now. Bowlers from different countries are benefiting from this rule.
England play against Pakistan on Tuesday in a tri-series. Sri Lanka is also part of this series. Fans are excited to watch fast bowlers use the old ball.
Level 2 · Medium
One important rule change is altering one-day international cricket. In July 2025, cricket authorities changed the playing conditions. The new rule lets captains pick which ball to use after 34 overs to finish the . This allows the older ball to get scruffier, which brings back reverse swing.
Statistically, pace bowlers are finding much more swing in the final overs than before. Because the ball moves more, fast bowlers are getting better averages and lower economy rates. Scoring runs at the death has become much harder for teams around the world. Pakistan players like Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi are among those who can find swing late in the game.
England return to action on Tuesday against Pakistan in a tri-series that also features Sri Lanka. Coaches and players are thinking about new plans because of how the ball behaves. While some countries see a big jump in reverse swing, other places like South Africa see less change so far.
Level 3 · Real news English
A significant rule change in July 2025 has altered one-day international cricket by bringing back reverse swing. The rule permits leaders to pick a white sphere to finish the rest of the with the chosen object. With the ball growing older and scruffier, fast bowlers are finding much more movement in the air during the final overs.
show that pace bowlers are benefiting worldwide. Half of full deliveries from pacers in the final ten overs have deviated more than one degree since the rule change. Consequently, bowling averages and economy rates at the death have dropped, making it harder for batsmen to hit out in the final overs. Teams from various countries, including West Indies, South Africa, and Pakistan, have recorded slower scoring rates during this phase.
England, who statistically benefited the most from the change, return to action against Pakistan on Tuesday in a tri-series that also includes Sri Lanka. Pakistan Shaheen Afridi and teammate Naseem Shah are noted for finding movement late in innings. While the rule change has caused a massive increase in swing in England and Bangladesh, its impact varies in other parts of the world, leaving teams to adapt their ahead of the next World Cup.
Words to learn
- innings — پاری (paari): a period of play in a cricket match “The team scored many runs in the first innings.”
- captain — کپتان (kaptaan): the leader of a sports team “The captain led his players onto the field.”
- coach — کوچ (coach): someone who trains a sports team “The coach gave advice to the players.”
- victory — فتح (fath): winning a game or contest “The team celebrated their great victory.”
- defeat — شکست (shikast): losing a game or contest “They learned important lessons from their defeat.”
- batting — بیٹنگ (batting): the act of hitting the ball with a bat “Their batting performance was very strong.”
- bowler — باؤلر (bowler): a player who delivers the ball in cricket “The fast bowler took three wickets.”
- stumps — سٹمپس (stumps): the three upright pieces of wood defended by the batsman “The fast ball hit the stumps.”
- statistics — شماریات (shumaariyat): numerical facts and data “The statistics show a big change in the game.”
- tactics — حکمت عملی (hikmat-e-amli): planned actions to achieve a goal “The team changed their tactics after the break.”
Quick quiz
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When did the playing conditions in ODIs change?
- July 2025
- July 2024
- June 2025
- August 2025
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After how many overs can captains choose which ball to use?
- 20 overs
- 34 overs
- 40 overs
- 50 overs
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Which team is playing England in the match mentioned on Tuesday?
- Australia
- South Africa
- Pakistan
- West Indies
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What does 'captain' mean in Urdu?
- پاری
- کوچ
- کپتان
- فتح
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Which team has statistically benefited the most from the rule change according to the text?
- Sri Lanka
- England
- Australia
- Bangladesh