No sense not having India and Pakistan series in WTC: Ramiz Raja

The finale of ICC World Test Championship is all set to get staged in Southampton on June 18 between India and New Zealand. The inaugural edition of WTC kicked off soon after the 2019 World Cup and was meant to keep alive the purest format of the game. The Championship also aimed to keep people connected with the Test format and therefore, increase its viewership. All the Test matches that took place after 2019 WC were counted under the same series.

In the same light, former Pakistan cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja pointed out that he is not at all impressed with the whole idea of WTC. He did not approve the idea of Test Championship going ahead without any match of India and Pakistan. It is a known fact that both the nations have stopped indulging in any form of bilateral series owing to the political tensions. However, they still face each other in all the ICC events.

“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 3-month window and everyone should have played against each other,” said Raja on his Youtube channel Cricket Baaz.

No other cricket at time of WTC reckons Ramiz Raja

Raja further added that if the formats aims to bag the viewership, no other cricket should be played on the same time when WTC matches are being held. Sponsorships and other things can only come when there is no other option for people at that particular time frame. Raja also added he is not impressed with the current form of Pakistan cricket.

“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 concluded.