Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali backed head coach Misbah Ul Haq's call for the ICC to extend the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. 

Misbah's suggestion came in wake of the threat posed over the majority of the nine-team tournament's fixtures because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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"I'm sure the ICC will look at this," ESPNcricinfo quoted Azhar as saying. "The Test Championship was a long competition anyway, so I don't think it would be a big deal to extend it if the series cannot be held in time; I'd support extending the Test championship."

Pakistan, currently fifth in the points table, has had its fixture against Bangladesh indefinitely postponed, and there is also a genuine threat of suspension looming large over its all-important tours to England and New Zealand. 

"The series coming up in the Test championship will determine where we stand," Azhar stressed. "We have big series coming up in New Zealand and England, and we need to win at least three-four Tests across those series to give ourselves a good chance of reaching the final."

"That's very much our aim, and we're still looking at those series as crucial to our chances of going far in this championship."

The inaugural Test championship cycle is scheduled to run until its final at Lord's in June 2021. 

Azhar is hoping that this period of isolation will help the players relax and be mentally fresh for whenever the on-field play is safe to resume.

"Players need to be reminded of their responsibilities, but cricket needs to be enjoyed," he said. "You should know how to relax, and to stay calm when under pressure. I'm happy so far, but it's still a long way to travel."

(Inputs from ANI)