Irfan Pathan disagrees with Virat Kohli, endorses the idea of four-day Test

ICC is mulling over trimming Tests to four days from five for the 2023-2031 World Test Championship cycle.

Four-day Test cricket is in consideration for the 2023-2031 World Test Championship cycle | Getty

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan is not on the same page with Virat Kohli as the former endorsed the idea of conducting four-day Test.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is mulling over trimming Tests to four days from five for the 2023-2031 World Test Championship cycle. The idea behind this thought process is to free up the calendar to accommodate more commercially lucrative white-ball cricket.

Read Also: Kumble says ICC cricket committee to discuss four-day Test proposal despite criticism 

In an exclusive interview to news agency IANS, Pathan said: “I have been saying that for a few years now that four-day Tests should be there. I believe at least for couple of years that’s it is the way to go forward. We play four-day cricket in Ranji Trophy, we get results. So why not Test matches?”

“Obviously, nowadays results come regularly but if there are four-day Tests, every game will be result oriented...I totally, totally agree with four-day Test matches,” he added.

Irfan’s comments came just a couple of after Kohli opposed the idea of four-day Test, saying he doesn’t support any changes which hurts the sanctity of the traditional format.

"According to me, it should not be altered. As I said, the day-night is another step towards commercialising Test cricket and you know, creating excitement around it, but it can't be tinkered with too much. I don't believe so," the Indian captain had told reporters on the eve of first T20I against Sri Lanka in Guwahati.

While the four-day Test is at the proposal stage, Cricket Australia had expressed its intent of trying out the format despite skipper Time Paine and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon’s reluctance.

Moreover, cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting among others have also opposed the idea of four-day Test and thus ICC may find it difficult to implement it.

The ICC cricket committee is set to discuss the four-day Test proposal in the next round of the ICC meetings, slated to be held in Dubai from March 27-31.

(With IANS inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 07 Jan, 2020

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