Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has said that India and Pakistan cricket teams must play each other in the next cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, adding that the current format was lopsided and it didn’t make sense to not have an India-Pakistan series.
The 58-year-old commentator further remarked that there should be a separate window for WTC where every team should face each other to attract more sponsorship for Test cricket.
“The current format was lopsided and prolonged and it made no sense not having India and Pakistan series. Teams didn’t play the same number of matches and even the points system was weird. There should have been a three-month window and everyone should have played against each other,” Raja said.
He also said no other cricket tournament should be held during the WTC so as to attract more sponsors for the longest format of the game.
“Next time when the WTC is held, no cricket should be held at that time, if you want to promote Test cricket and infuse life into it and also attract sponsors to this format. Sponsorship will only come when you will not give sponsors any other option to park their money,” he added.
India defeated England 3-1 in the four-match Test series at home to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship against New Zealand. The final will take place from June 18 to 22 in Southampton’s Ageas Bowl Stadium.
Raja also raised his concerns about Pakistan’s disappointing record in away games.
“The condition of our away tours is bad. I don’t mind if you fight and lose, but if you already know that you are going to South Africa, Australia, England, New Zealand and you will lose, so how will your fan base increase and how will you get confidence in the system,” he said, adding that the national side needs to plan ahead and prepare for their foreign tours.
“Pakistan should plan six months before any foreign tour and identify which areas they need to work upon when you are going for any away tour. The new lot that is coming, you need to train them like that. In that regard, we are behind because of which there is frustration. But if we will play more at home and win, so it will help us and we will go with confidence on away tours,” he said.
