The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly approved a tweak in powerplay rules for Men's T20Is. In case of a curtailed game, the powerplay would be rounded off to the nearest ball, unlike previously, where it was rounded off to the nearest over. For example, if a match was cut short to eight overs for any reason, the powerplay would be two full overs, but under the new rule, it would be 2.2 overs, with two men outside the circle.

The previous method created discrepancies in calculations. In a full match, the powerplay constitutes 30 percent of the overs; however, a shorter game disrupted the equation. The latest rule change will bring the calculation closer to the benchmark. The new rule will be effective from July.

"This table has been used in the T20 Blast in England for many years, where ending a powerplay midway through an over has caused no difficulty for players or officials," the ICC told its members, ESPNcricinfo has assessed.

"It has now been accepted by the ICC Men's Cricket Committee as the preferred method moving forward," the ICC told the members. "In the eight-over example above, the umpire will make the signal after two balls of the third over, at which point three further fielders are able to drop back from within the circle."

Meanwhile, the ICC also introduced several other changes in playing conditions in international cricket. Stop watch will now be used in Test matches to control the slow over rate. The rule was introduced in white-ball cricket last year, and now it has been implemented in Tests as well. In another big change, the teams will now have to name their concussion substitutes before the match. The concussion substitutes should have one all-rounder, one batter, one wicketkeeper, one pacer and one spinner. Similarly, the use of saliva won't mandate a ball change, and it will be a call taken by the umpires. If the umpires feel the condition of the ball has changed drastically, only then would a ball change be considered. The rules will only be implemented in Men's cricket and women's rules will be revised later in the year.