New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif provided a balanced perspective on the proposed two-tier system in Test cricket, a hotly debated topic, asserting that the motivation to split Test cricket into two tiers is influenced by the attendance figures in various countries.
Reports indicate that representatives from Australia, England, and India are scheduled to meet with ICC Chairman Jay Shah later this month to deliberate on the possibility of implementing a two-tier Test system starting in 2027. This discussion follows the record-breaking crowd turnout for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.
"I perceive this proposal from a neutral standpoint. We have witnessed significant crowds in England, Australia, and India during Test matches, while fans from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and even New Zealand tend to stay away from the grounds for longer format games, making this division almost inevitable.
"Fans flock to venues in England due to their traditional support for the game. South Africa also garners crowds because their fans appreciate the longer format. When South Africa excels in Tests, they become an attractive team with strong pace bowlers,” Latif told Telecom Asia Sport.
"Cricket's popularity fluctuates. Currently, India and Australia lead the Test rankings, but their positions can change. Other nations, where attendance for Test matches is low, such as ours, are not valued and thus fail to generate revenue," he further stated.
The Boxing Day Test clash 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 a record-breaking 47,566 spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Melbourne Test also marked a record for the highest opening day attendance in a Test match between India and Australia, attracting 87,242 fans to the iconic venue.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal shared his thoughts on the matter, stating that the primary motivation behind this proposed model is to generate more revenue.
"The desire to increase profits is the main driving force behind this so-called two-tier or Big Three arrangement, which overlooks the promotion of the game. We have nations like Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan that do not participate in Test cricket regularly, and when they do, they fall short of the standards. If they don’t compete against major countries, how can they enhance their skills?” he remarked.
"I hope that other nations resist this and do not make concessions. This idea has emerged previously but was abandoned after protests from other countries. The ICC holds the responsibility to keep Test cricket thriving. The World Test Championship has not only sustained the format but has also provided quality cricket to all nations," he added.
Interestingly, the proposal for a two-tier system in Test cricket was first introduced in an ICC Board meeting in 2016, where seven nations would compete in the first division while five others would be placed in the second.
