MISBAH-UL-HAQ DOESN’T SUPPORT THE DIVISION OF TEST CRICKET IN TWO TIERS

 

 

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq opposed the planning of division of Test Cricket saying that lower ranked teams will suffer, if they do not play with top order teams. ICC wants seven top teams to play the higher tier and next five to play the lower grade over a period of two years, 18 Tests on home and away basis. The bottom two teams will be relegated to second tier while the top two teams in the second tier will be promoted to play the top league.

Misbah questions on this format saying that, “I think if the ninth number team does not play the top team how will it improve, People will get bored by watching the same teams play again and again”. Misbah further went on to say that, “I think all teams should get equal opportunities to play against each other and only through this there will be equality and teams will improve.”.

England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Greaves has suggested the Tests be reduced to four days with longer plays on each day. Misbah-ul-Haq also opposed the idea of 4-day Test saying that, “I think the beauty of Test lies in five days. If you reduce it to four days then the probability of draws will increase and interest will wane.”