Former India pacer Irfan Pathan on Friday said the Twenty20 format has helped in increasing popularity of cricket as the fans have embraced it wholeheartedly.
"T20 format of game has given 200 per cent popularity to cricket. The change for good is always accepted by the people and they have welcome it to the fullest," Pathan said on the sidelines of selection of players for Ambuja Parivar League (APL) in Chandigarh.
He said media criticism of players was welcome if it did not cross the limit.
"It (media criticism) always helps in improvement. However, there should be certain limit to criticism," he said.
Pathan said APL will raise the spirit of sportsmanship among its members.
Pathan selected 15 players each of Chandigarh Challengers and Bathinda Warriors teams. He will also select players for other teams in Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.
The APL is a cricket tournament organised by Ambuja Cement to spot talent among its dealer network.
