Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali has backed head coach-cum-chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq’s suggestion that the coronavirus-affected World Test Championship should be extended in the wake of the global pandemic.
He believes cricketing action should return to action in future “even it is behind closed doors” but without compromising on the health of the players.
“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 said in a video conference with reporters.
“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.”
Ali is confident that world body ICC will do the needful.
“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,” he added.
Azhar’s statement came after Misbah called for an extension of the World Test C’ship as and when cricket resumes in order to provide a fair and equal playing field to all teams.