ICC Introduces Minimum Age Policy for International Cricket
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has introduced a minimum age policy for players to play international cricket.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has introduced a minimum age policy for players to play international cricket. According to this new policy, the cricketer must be 15-year-old to play the game globally. ICC said in a statement, “The Board confirmed the introduction of minimum age restrictions for international cricket to improve safeguarding of players. It will be applied across all cricket including ICC events, bilateral cricket and U19 cricket. To play in any form of men's, women's or U19 international cricket players must now be a minimum age of 15.” It added, “If there is an exceptional circumstance, a Member Board could apply to the ICC to allow a player under the age of 15 to play for them.” This could include where the player's playing experience and mental development and wellbeing demonstrates that they would be capable of coping with the demands of international cricket,
Earlier there was no bar on the age of a cricketer to play any form of international cricket. Pakistan's Hasan Raza, who played between 1996 and 2005, holds the record of being the youngest to play international cricket. He made his Test debut when he was 14 years and 227 days old. Former legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar is the youngest Indian to play Test cricket for the country. He made his Test debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days.
