Azhar Ali Echoes Misbah-ul-Haq On 'World Test Championship' Extension

Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali has echoed chief selector and head coach Misbha-ul-Haq’s sentiment and said, the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship, marred by the novel coronavirus pandemic should be extended.

The long and gruelling season of the World Test Championship was among the maqruee tournaments which was effected due to the pandemic. However, Azhar Ali feels it will not be a big deal for the governing council of cricket to extend the World Test Championship.

‘Cricket should be back even it means playing behind closed doors’

It is uncertain when the cricket season will resume, but Azhar feels, whenever possible and not compromising on health of people, cricket should be played behind closed doors in near future.

“If, hopefully, in the near future cricket is possible and the health of people is not compromised, I’m sure every cricketer will say we should get cricket back on, even if it is behind closed doors,” Ali was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.

‘I support extending the World Test Championship’

“There is no sport on TV right now that people can watch. They will be happy to get sport back on TV. People’s health is more important, but if we can get sport going without imperilling that, I’d support it. I’m sure the ICC will look at this. The Test Championship was a long competition anyway, so I don’t think it would be a big deal to extend it if the series cannot be held in time; I’d support extending the Test championship,” Azhar Ali said.

India top the World Test Championship table. The top ranked side lost their first series and match against New Zealand earlier this year. The Test series against the Kiwis was also the first real challenge for India after beating the West Indies away and Bangladesh at home.