Test cricket is in ICU at the moment and has been put on the ventilator: Aakash Chopra
Chopra questioned South Africa's decision to send a second-string squad to New Zealand for the Test series, and criticised Pakistan for benching Shaheen for the third Test against Australia.
South Africa’s decision to send a second-string squad to New Zealand for the upcoming two-match Test series has shocked former cricketer Aakash Chopra. Only two cricketers — David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen, from the Boxing Day Test squad, which played against India are part of the squad while the majority of the cricketers are set to make their debut, including skipper Neil Brand.
A lot of former and current cricketers have come forward to criticise Cricket South Africa for preferring SA20 over Test cricket, as Chopra mentioned that Test cricket is now in ICU and has been put on a ventilator. He also condemned Pakistan’s act of dropping Shaheen Afridi from the Test third against Australia to manage his workload ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the T20 World Cup, which is slated to begin in early June.
“Test cricket is in ICU at the moment and has been put on the ventilator. Firstly, a handful of teams play Test cricket and among them also, only three teams are left that can afford to play Test cricket. South Africa announced a proper second-string team against New Zealand. The reason is that SA20 is about to start. It is their domestic T20 tournament,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“Two Test matches of the WTC cycle have come this time. They said let's leave the Test match and that they will play in the SA20, from (Aiden) Markram to (Kagiso) Rabada to everyone, that all of them should be available there (SA20) and the rest of the kids can play Test cricket,” the 46-year-old added.
Chopra questions Pakistan’s decision to bench Shaheen Afridi
Aakash Chopra was surprised to see Pakistan deciding to hand a break to Shaheen Afridi after losing the first two matches of the series. The ex-Delhi batter mentioned that he can’t recall the time when an Asian country decided to bench their leading pacer in Australia.
“Pakistan have rested Shaheen Shah Afridi in the New Year's Test against Australia. When was the last time an Asian team went to Australia and said they would rest their main player, even if it's a dead rubber because you want him to be ready for T20 cricket?” Chopra questioned.
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