Rashid Latif Comments on the Proposal for a Two-Tier Test Cricket Structure Driven by Audience Attendance

New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif shared his impartial perspective on the much-debated two-tier structure in Test cricket, asserting that the initiative to segregate Test cricket into two tiers is primarily influenced by audience attendance in various nations.

Reports have indicated that representatives from Australia, England, and India are scheduled to meet with ICC Chairman Jay Shah later this month to deliberate on a potential two-tier Test system proposed for implementation in 2027. This conversation gained traction following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, which attracted a record number of spectators.

“I view this proposal from a neutral standpoint. We have witnessed substantial crowds in England, Australia, and India during Test matches, while nations like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and even New Zealand see limited attendance for longer format games, making this situation inevitable,” stated Latif to Telecom Asia Sport.

“Fans in England attend matches due to their traditional support for the game. Similarly, South Africa draws crowds because their fans are keen to watch the longer format. When South Africa excels in Test matches, they become an attractive team thanks to their skilled pacers,” he elaborated.

“Cricket’s fortunes can fluctuate. While India and Australia currently lead the Test rankings, their positions can change. Other nations where crowds are not interested in Tests, like ours, are undervalued and consequently miss out on significant revenue,” he added.

The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground set a new attendance record for Test matches in Australia, surpassing the previous record established in 1936/37 when Australia faced England in a six-day match with 47,566 attendees at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Melbourne Test established a new record for the highest opening day attendance in a Test match between India and Australia, with 87,242 spectators filling the iconic venue.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal also shared his thoughts on the matter, asserting that the primary motivation behind the proposed model is the pursuit of higher profits.

“The drive for increased income is the key factor behind this so-called two-tier or Big Three model, neglecting the game's promotion. Countries like Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan do not participate in Test cricket regularly, and their standards suffer when they do play against major teams. If they don’t compete against larger cricketing nations, how can they improve?” he questioned.

“I hope other countries resist this idea and do not compromise. This proposal was previously introduced but was set aside due to objections from other nations. It is the ICC's responsibility to preserve Test cricket. The World Test Championship has not only kept this format alive but has also provided quality cricket for all nations,” he added.

Interestingly, the concept of a two-tier system in Test cricket was first introduced during an ICC Board meeting in 2016, which outlined a division where seven nations would compete in the first division while five remaining countries would form the second division.