The 2023-25 World Test Championship ( WTC ) cycle is in its home stretch, with India and Australia the frontrunners for a repeat of the last WTC final, which Australia won. Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali also feels it will be an India vs Australia final, but has a suggestion for the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the subsequent WTC cycles.
"I have one suggestion. WTC mei Pakistan aur India ka match nahin hota because there is no bilateral series (WTC doesn't feature India vs Pakistan)," said Basit in a video on his YouTube channel. "So ICC needs to take a step and select a venue like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Dubai or Abu Dhabi for India vs Pakistan Test series."
"These two teams (playing against each other) should also be part of the WTC cycle. Everybody is playing against each other except Pakistan and India...Indian government always says no, but they play in ICC events like the World Cup...If PCB gives a suggestion than they (ICC and BCCI) don't take it seriously, which is wrong," he added.
India are currently on top of the WTC table, followed by Australia and Sri Lanka. New Zealand's win over India in the first Test of the series in Bengaluru has kept the Kiwis' thin hopes of finishing in the top two alive.
After their three-Test series at home against New Zealand, India will travel to Australia for five Tests.
"Four teams are in the top half India, Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. But according to mere there are only three (in the fray for a place in the final) -- India, Australia and Sri Lanka. But the kind of cricket India and Australi are playing, the WTC final should be between these two teams. Rest we will see what hpannes," Basit opined.
"I have one suggestion. WTC mei Pakistan aur India ka match nahin hota because there is no bilateral series (WTC doesn't feature India vs Pakistan)," said Basit in a video on his YouTube channel. "So ICC needs to take a step and select a venue like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Dubai or Abu Dhabi for India vs Pakistan Test series."
"These two teams (playing against each other) should also be part of the WTC cycle. Everybody is playing against each other except Pakistan and India...Indian government always says no, but they play in ICC events like the World Cup...If PCB gives a suggestion than they (ICC and BCCI) don't take it seriously, which is wrong," he added.
India are currently on top of the WTC table, followed by Australia and Sri Lanka. New Zealand's win over India in the first Test of the series in Bengaluru has kept the Kiwis' thin hopes of finishing in the top two alive.
After their three-Test series at home against New Zealand, India will travel to Australia for five Tests.
"Four teams are in the top half India, Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. But according to mere there are only three (in the fray for a place in the final) -- India, Australia and Sri Lanka. But the kind of cricket India and Australi are playing, the WTC final should be between these two teams. Rest we will see what hpannes," Basit opined.
You may also like
President Murmu's Odisha visit from October 23 postponed in view of impending cyclone
Married At First Sight star Holly Ditchfield slashes price of wedding dress after bitter backlash
GRAP-II in Delhi-NCR effective tomorrow as AQI drops to 'Very Poor'
Four things spotted from latest Arsenal training session with Bukayo Saka reality clear
Archaeologists discover huge treasure trove including 50 extremely rare Viking skulls