Number of balls per over reduced for World Cup

Dubai. The World Indoor Cricket Federation World Cup commencing today at the newly laid Insportz facility will be unique in many ways. For the first time the number of balls that a bowler can bowl in an over has been reduced from eight to six.

Ashik Kuniyil, the only umpire from the UAE elaborated on the rules of the indoor cricket: “For those who do not know much about indoor cricket here are the rules in a nut shell.”

* Eight players make a team and will be 16 overs per innings.

* Four batsmen have to bat four overs each in pairs. No matter how many times you get out you have to complete four overs.

* Minus five runs each time a batsman is dismissed.

* Batsmen run only 12 yards for a run

* Three consecutive dot balls in an over results in a dismissal. Even if you miss the third ball you have to run. Opposition has to remove the bails and appeal in case of a run out.

* Each bowler has to bowl two overs.

* Ball is live throughout the game

* The net is split into different zones.

Zone A: Behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

Zone B: On the sides between the striker and mid-pitch: 1 run

Zone C: On the sides between mid-pitch and bowler-end stump: 2 runs

Zone D: Behind the bowler: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full.

Countries that hosted World Cup over the years

1995 England

1998 New Zealand

2000 South Africa

2002 New Zealand