ICC has announced that slow over-rates in T20 Internationals will now invite stricter penalties. It said that teams which fail to keep up with the schedule will end up with one fielder less outside the 30-yard circle for the remainder of the innings, beginning this month. As part of its updated playing conditions, it has also introduced an optional drinks interval midway through the innings in bilateral T20 international cricket.

The in-match penalties have been introduced in addition to the sanctions for slow over rate outlined in Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The sanctions which are existing include demerit points and financial penalties on teams as well as their captains.

“The over rate regulations are captured in clause 13.8 of the playing conditions, which stipulate that a fielding side must be in position to bowl the first ball of the final over of the innings by the scheduled or rescheduled time for the end of the innings,” said ICC.