[VIDEO] Yasir Shah applying saliva to hand before touching the ball

[MenInG]

Seems Yasir Shah is licking his fingers (applying saliva) then touching the ball - is that an issue? Seems that Yasir Shah has been spoken to about this.

Video shows he is applying saliva to his hand.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 50%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/lmvtdh" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[CleverSir]

Seems Yasir Shah is licking his fingers (applying saliva) then touching the ball - is that an issue?

It IS an issue. However, this is a natural muscle memory reaction and hard to change overnight (3 months is overnight when you've done something for years and years) and I hope that team management and match referee has a word with him. We can't be punishing players for these minor infractions so early into the changes. If this continues to be an issue after a warning or two then I can see punishments. I realize we need to be safe and the players are trying. Sometimes it just happens. Even with Anderson I would've been lenient since it was the first series under new rules.

 

[MenInG]

But licking hands is not disallowed - I am sure that is the case.

 

[CleverSir]

It might not be disallowed but it does get saliva onto the ball. Like I said, I don't think it should be a massive issue at the moment.

 

[HitWicket]

Looked a bit dodgy in the opening overs earlier when Babar was regularly licking his fingers just before the bowler ran in with Rizwan then chucking the ball to him for shining afterwards.

 

[MenInG]

Looked a bit dodgy in the opening overs earlier when Babar was regularly licking his fingers just before the bowler ran in with Rizwan then chucking the ball to him for shining afterwards.

Yep against the spirit of the game in that sense.

 

[MenInG]

Seems that Yasir Shah has been spoken to about this.

 

[Firebat]

Video shows he is applying saliva to his hand.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 50%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/lmvtdh" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Nothing mal-intentioned in that. Not even using it to shine the ball, just licked it then wiped it on his trousers. This is probably something he does due to calluses on his hand that most spinners have, it's just instinctual. Still, should be encouraged not to do it in light of the Covid guidelines.