Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja has opined that only India - Pakistan  Test series can revive the save the longest format of the game from becoming extinct in recent times.

There is a very real prospect that Test cricket will soon become a peripheral entertainer on the international sporting stage following the emergence of T20 leagues in adequate amounts in the modern era, as nowadays players and even fans are more interested in limited overs cricket.

Even International Cricket Council had also a deep discussion on it whether to change the structure and priorities of the longest format in a bid to modernize the marketing of Test cricket in the world.

Now, Ramiz Raja too has come up with his opinion regarding the same, saying that old arch-rivals India and Pakistan must compete in Test cricket to keep the format alive. 

As per reports in Gulf News, Raja stated, “Saving cricket is the most important reason why India and Pakistan must play cricket (together). People-to-people contact is so important...and I take you to the 2004 series when I was working for the cricket board. And it was the best experience. You ask the fans of India and Pakistan — they sat together, ate together. That is the way to go.”

Noteworthy, India has not played Pakistan in any bilateral series since 2008, but only plays in the ICC events. The Asia Cup brings another opportunity to see the teams play against each other on September 19 in Dubai. Pakistan got the better of India when they last played in the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy in England last year. 

The match on the 19th gives India an ideal opportunity to take a sweet revenge with a win and level things up again.