Malan says “controlled ball tampering” should be allowed in cricket

Bangla Press Desk:  Former England batter Dawid Malan reignited cricket’s most volatile debate by calling for controlled ball tampering to be legalised on Saturday, following the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) controversy involving Fakhar Zaman.

The Rangpur Riders batter made the explosive suggestion on the BBC, arguing that allowing bowlers limited control over the ball could restore balance in modern T20 cricket. “I actually think you should legalise it,” Malan said. “Just let people scratch the ball. Don’t bring anything in from outside, but reverse swing is a skill.”

The left-hander insisted players have manipulated the ball for decades, and cricket should stop treating the issue as purely scandal-driven.

Reverse swing, the 38-year-old argued, could drag contests back from batter-dominated chaos and tighten finishes.

However, the proposal clashes head-on with the lawbook.

Under Marylebone Cricket Club Law 41.3, altering the condition of the ball beyond limited polishing and drying is illegal.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct also treats ball tampering as an offence, including scratching the surface or interfering with the seam.