Misbah Ul Haq not in support of shortening the World Test Championship

Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan Cricket’s head coach Misbah Ul Haq has said that he does not support in shortening the World Test Championship due to the Coronavirus pandemic in the whole world that has forced the sporting events for either the cancellation or postponement.

ICC World Test Championship

Misbah Ul Haq feels that by not shortening the World Test Championship, every team will get an equal chance of playing against all the games. He also cited that this will help in getting the winner in a fair manner at the end of the championship even if it requires pushing the league schedule. 

“When we finally start moving back to normal life and cricket can resume, every side should get equal opportunities and the tournament shouldn’t be shortened,” ESPN Cricinfo quoted Misbah as saying.

The World Test Championship started last year, is originally scheduled to run until June 2021, but the coronavirus pandemic has brought that to a halt. The Championship has been postponed over the past few weeks with no cricket being played due to the risk of the deadly virus. 

“No matches should be struck off, even if that means prolonging the Championship. Every side should get the chance to play all the games they had scheduled in this cycle,” he added. 

Misbah also said that even if the World Test Championship stretches beyond June 2021 next year, it shouldn’t matter as long as the teams get equal opportunities and the balance of the tournament won’t be ‘disrupted’. 

England’s three-match Test series against Sri Lanka has been postponed due to the coronavirus, while the second test of Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan has been two notable series that were a part of the World Test Championship fixture. So, considering the importance of all the matches, the ICC may have to extend the tournament, also accepting the fact that it would lead to the delay in the second World Test Championship.