Should Bangladesh be a part of ICC Test Championship?

[minamino]

To be honest, I think that they shouldn't be in the Test championship because I don't think that they are much better Test team than Afghanistan as their H2H record suggest as well and it's almost impossible for them to win an away Test so I think they should have been in the lower tier with Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.

 

[sweep_shot]

On current form, they shouldn't be part of Test championship. But, I have this feeling they may just end up in higher position than West Indies (just like in the World Cup).

West Indies are supposed to play BD in BD as part of Test championship. Last time they did that, they lost 0-2. If we produce dust bowls, West Indies will probably struggle.

 

[aloo paratha]

The top 7 test sides should be a part of the championship, this way each team will be able to play every other team in the cycle.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think eventually they can make two types of Test championship - world championship and plate championship (just like in U-19 World Cup).

World championship should have top 6 teams and they should play home and away (total of 10 games for each team).

Plate championship should have bottom 6 teams and they should play home and away (total of 10 games for each team).

We can have 1 team promoted and 1 team relegated each time.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Should be too 8. The rest are developing test nation's.

 

[sweep_shot]

Should be too 8. The rest are developing test nation's.

West Indies are yet to win a game and I doubt they will win any game. They may win against BD but they got whitewashed last time they came in BD.

Top 7 or top 6 seems logical.

 

[BDfanforever]

I think eventually they can make two types of Test championship - world championship and plate championship (just like in U-19 World Cup).

World championship should have top 6 teams and they should play home and away (total of 10 games for each team).

Plate championship should have bottom 6 teams and they should play home and away (total of 10 games for each team).

We can have 1 team promoted and 1 team relegated each time.

Lol no, its joke format that last for 5 days and spans over 2 years. Are you kidding me? That too only only Australia and Eng are good, India is good only at home. Rest are not good test Cricket team.

Watch I predict NZ to get pretty wrecked in Dhaka too.

 

[sweep_shot]

There is something I noticed. Most Tests worldwide are played in front of empty or near-empty stadiums. It tells me that maybe Test format is losing popularity and in 2-3 generations, ICC may think hard about how to make Test sustainable.

Test only attracts big crowd in Australia, England, and sometimes India. T20 and ODI attract bigger crowds.

 

[BDfanforever]

There is something I noticed. Most Tests worldwide are played in front of empty or near-empty stadiums. It tells me that maybe Test format is losing popularity and in 2-3 generations, ICC may think hard about how to make Test sustainable.

Test only attracts big crowd in Australia, England, and sometimes India. T20 and ODI attract bigger crowds.

Americans are smart, they never gave into Brits demand unlike Subcontinent folks. They knew test Cricket is not practical.

In my opinion, there should be only ODI Cricket played seasonally Baseball style.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Bangladesh should be included otherwise you can also drop West Indies etc, soon it will be just the big 3.

 

[Titan24]

I personally think BD completely deserves to be part of it considering the bigger picture and how much work they have put into their cricket and results are visible with U19 WC win. I think they should and will improve in coming years in tests and should be given opportunities just like other teams.

There arent a lot of test playing nations and BD while hasnt progressed since getting the status as expected but still overall in the last 5-7 years have had tremendous improvement at grass root level and also at international level especially in ODIs and also in home tests as well. At home BD has given tough time to Eng and Aus in test series.

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Might as well make all nations play. This idea of the best playing against the best doesn't seem to be sustainable in the long term, yes, Australia and India will get major profits for Test series between each other but after all a while, wouldn't people get bored?

ICC should aim to assist the development of current minnows through greater playing and possible monetary support as well as welcome other teams to test match cricket.

Even the previous WC with only 9 teams was disappointing as other sports are also branching out to welcome more nations. Cricket is digging a hole for itself with this mindset.

 

[minamino]

I think even Afghanistan can provide a tough fight for SENA nations in home conditions with their spin attack.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think even Afghanistan can provide a tough fight for SENA nations in home conditions with their spin attack.

Obviously. Who said otherwise?

Afghan attack can easily trouble South Africa and NZ on dust bowls. But, Aussies should handle them just fine.

 

[Junaids]

The model is flawed.

If it weren’t for the BJP, we could all have a two year cycle of two divisions of the World Test Championship, with every team playing the others in its division home and away. And promotion and relegation every cycle.

First Division
Australia
England
India
New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa

Second Division
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Zimbabwe

 

[minamino]

Tbh I think this Test Championship experiment is gonna fail pretty badly and would be cancelled after the first edition.

 

[MMHS]

The model is flawed.

If it weren’t for the BJP, we could all have a two year cycle of two divisions of the World Test Championship, with every team playing the others in its division home and away. And promotion and relegation every cycle.

First Division
Australia
England
India
New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa

Second Division
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Zimbabwe

That's your biased judgement for an English, born in Dhaka, Pakistan fanatic. If it's a 6+6 spilt, no way, no way you can put Pakistan in top half over Srilanka. And BJP Govt. has very little to do in it.

Yes, one way you can say that there can be two divisions with eight teams in top half & rest four in bottom as emerging teams, which should keep WIN in too half as well.

I understand India has lost a Test in NZ and PAK has won back to back Tests against SRL & BD, so you are quite frequent these days n PP, but try to be impartial here, if you really want to make a point. Can you explain in what logic PAK should be in top six, while SRL, WIN in bottom half. Only, only logic can be prioritization of Test cricket by the Board/Country - even in that regard PCB/PAK will come last - first elite team to start 2 Test series.... 20 years back!

Test cricket needs trams where cricket is popular as this game is rapidly declining in half of the few countries it's played. But, if there is any status co established, it must be based on some criteria - as a genuine cricket enthusiast like you, I would expect proper logic of your suggestion.... and I hope that logic will be better than Mickey Arther’s choice of job, based on talent.

 

[MMHS]

The top 7 test sides should be a part of the championship, this way each team will be able to play every other team in the cycle.

Yes, that keeps PAK in elite group, few months back it would have been to 8.

 

[Babu Bhaiya]

Test Cricket is being played by handful of nations and you want to keep a cricket crazy nation out of the league!!

Lol at people suggesting at making it top 7 or 2 tier league to suit their agenda. Why not top 6 only or top 4.

If you want to leave BD out of league then leave out WI, Pak, SL etc too.

 

[sweep_shot]

Tbh I think this Test Championship experiment is gonna fail pretty badly and would be cancelled after the first edition.

Actually, it can really happen. A lot of the Tests are getting played in near-empty stadiums. Not a great advertisement for Test cricket.

 

[Babu Bhaiya]

Actually, it can really happen. A lot of the Tests are getting played in near-empty stadiums. Not a great advertisement for Test cricket.

Test championship or Test Cricket needs to be evolved quickly. Day- Night tests is one of the solutions. People still love Test Cricket but majority can’t go to the stadium for 5 days leaving out their work. See the crowd over the weekends.

 

[sweep_shot]

Test championship or Test Cricket needs to be evolved quickly. Day- Night tests is one of the solutions. People still love Test Cricket but majority can’t go to the stadium for 5 days leaving out their work. See the crowd over the weekends.

Yeah. That's one solution. Day-night Test. Actually, that's the only solution I can think of.

 

[Babu Bhaiya]

Yeah. That's one solution. Day-night Test. Actually, that's the only solution I can think of.

What about reducing the length of the game from 5 days to 4 days? It will lead to the match to be played with faster pace. Matches would be more exciting than it currently is.

I know we have had many great test matches which went to the 5 days but almost 90% games which produces results getting over within 4 days.

 

[Mesozoic]

I've always maintained that Test championship must have two divisions.
Top 5 (in the Test rankings) in first and bottom 7 in the second tier with a promotion relegation system every year.

First tier teams will play 3 match series against every team (2 H and 2 A)

Bottom tier teams will play 2 match series' against every team (3 H and 3 A).

That is the best format possible as of now. Two years is way too long for a single tournament.

 

[MMHS]

What about reducing the length of the game from 5 days to 4 days? It will lead to the match to be played with faster pace. Matches would be more exciting than it currently is.

I know we have had many great test matches which went to the 5 days but almost 90% games which produces results getting over within 4 days.

It doesn't work that way - actually 4 day Test will make it even more defensive and boring, that too without considering weather interruptions and the technical aspect of the game (killing spin out of Test cricket).

These days, !a lot of games are finishing early because teams know that there is no place to hide - if 450 overs are available, there will be a winner. So, often teams behind try to play positively and win through a fluke, if somehow. Making it 360 (or 380, though it's not possible more than 350 in south asia because of winter day light) overs game means, now teams have an outside chance to bail out a draw, either by paying defensive game or by wasting time. I can safely tell you, make it 4 day Test, over rate will go further slow, scoring rate as well; and many of the games will end in absolute shambolic draws.

Long back, Aussies used to play timeless Test - check the scorecards, scoring rate wasn't that poor (comparatively to contemporary cricket) and they played for short days (75-90, 8 ball overs/day, but Tests often used to go to 5th, 6th even 7th day) - short but impactful, hard-fought cricket.

In contrary, England used to arrange 3/4 day Tests with long summer days and some times even 150 overs/day meaning often Tests ended in boring draws, and quality of cricket compromised for 7-8 bowlers being used to bowl 150 overs in a day - result, England had by far the highest number of bits & pieces all-rounders - players scoring 30-50 runs per Test (average around 30), and take 2-3 wickets at similar average. In contrast, Aussies produced specialists - players to make XI on one more skills and if it's an all-rounder, it has to be Noble, Gregory, Miller, Benaud or Davidson class.

If anything, I would have made Test cricket 6 days affair with 85 overs/day - six hard fought days where bowlers can give everything flat out - I can bet, games will become even faster & aggressive. I don't mind if the game is over in 3 days thereafter and players enjoying their days paid vacation.

Test cricket is losing its charm not because the game is boring rather most cricket boards around has found a way to make cheap money - they are deliberately trying to kill the format and tactfully riding pet media in that agenda. I believe you are an Indian - I give one example - if Indian censor board allows picturing female topless body, I bet Bollywood’s earning will jump to sky..... rest you can imagine...... that's exactly what is happening in cricket now - we are selling cheap entertainment by bluffing people and not creating the taste of Test cricket to younger people.

Test cricket is beautiful as it's played now - only thing ICC needs is to put pressure of some cricket boards to put enough emphasis on the format, they will figure out a way to make money and they'll definitely put enough efforts to remain relevant otherwise cricket is heading towards north American sports - NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB.

 

[Babu Bhaiya]

It doesn't work that way - actually 4 day Test will make it even more defensive and boring, that too without considering weather interruptions and the technical aspect of the game (killing spin out of Test cricket).

These days, !a lot of games are finishing early because teams know that there is no place to hide - if 450 overs are available, there will be a winner. So, often teams behind try to play positively and win through a fluke, if somehow. Making it 360 (or 380, though it's not possible more than 350 in south asia because of winter day light) overs game means, now teams have an outside chance to bail out a draw, either by paying defensive game or by wasting time. I can safely tell you, make it 4 day Test, over rate will go further slow, scoring rate as well; and many of the games will end in absolute shambolic draws.

Long back, Aussies used to play timeless Test - check the scorecards, scoring rate wasn't that poor (comparatively to contemporary cricket) and they played for short days (75-90, 8 ball overs/day, but Tests often used to go to 5th, 6th even 7th day) - short but impactful, hard-fought cricket.

In contrary, England used to arrange 3/4 day Tests with long summer days and some times even 150 overs/day meaning often Tests ended in boring draws, and quality of cricket compromised for 7-8 bowlers being used to bowl 150 overs in a day - result, England had by far the highest number of bits & pieces all-rounders - players scoring 30-50 runs per Test (average around 30), and take 2-3 wickets at similar average. In contrast, Aussies produced specialists - players to make XI on one more skills and if it's an all-rounder, it has to be Noble, Gregory, Miller, Benaud or Davidson class.

If anything, I would have made Test cricket 6 days affair with 85 overs/day - six hard fought days where bowlers can give everything flat out - I can bet, games will become even faster & aggressive. I don't mind if the game is over in 3 days thereafter and players enjoying their days paid vacation.

Test cricket is losing its charm not because the game is boring rather most cricket boards around has found a way to make cheap money - they are deliberately trying to kill the format and tactfully riding pet media in that agenda. I believe you are an Indian - I give one example - if Indian censor board allows picturing female topless body, I bet Bollywood’s earning will jump to sky..... rest you can imagine...... that's exactly what is happening in cricket now - we are selling cheap entertainment by bluffing people and not creating the taste of Test cricket to younger people.

Test cricket is beautiful as it's played now - only thing ICC needs is to put pressure of some cricket boards to put enough emphasis on the format, they will figure out a way to make money and they'll definitely put enough efforts to remain relevant otherwise cricket is heading towards north American sports - NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB.

Thanks for taking the time to explain in such details. I get it. 4 days tests have more negatives than positives.

When i think of it, role of spinners are going to be effected in D/N tests too.

 

[Junaids]

That's your biased judgement for an English, born in Dhaka, Pakistan fanatic. If it's a 6+6 spilt, no way, no way you can put Pakistan in top half over Srilanka. And BJP Govt. has very little to do in it.

Yes, one way you can say that there can be two divisions with eight teams in top half & rest four in bottom as emerging teams, which should keep WIN in too half as well.

I understand India has lost a Test in NZ and PAK has won back to back Tests against SRL & BD, so you are quite frequent these days n PP, but try to be impartial here, if you really want to make a point. Can you explain in what logic PAK should be in top six, while SRL, WIN in bottom half. Only, only logic can be prioritization of Test cricket by the Board/Country - even in that regard PCB/PAK will come last - first elite team to start 2 Test series.... 20 years back!

Test cricket needs trams where cricket is popular as this game is rapidly declining in half of the few countries it's played. But, if there is any status co established, it must be based on some criteria - as a genuine cricket enthusiast like you, I would expect proper logic of your suggestion.... and I hope that logic will be better than Mickey Arther’s choice of job, based on talent.

My friend, you really have missed the point.

In my opinion the one and only publicly defensible way of putting teams into Division 1 or Division 2 is by how they place in the 2019-21 World Test Championship. The reality of relegation makes any other method unworkable.

Pakistan won’t fall lower than 5th and might rise to 3rd.

It’s South Africa and Sri Lanka who are in serious trouble.

In practice, I think that Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka would be perennial promotion and relegation specialists.

 

[MMHS]

My friend, you really have missed the point.

In my opinion the one and only publicly defensible way of putting teams into Division 1 or Division 2 is by how they place in the 2019-21 World Test Championship. The reality of relegation makes any other method unworkable.

Pakistan won’t fall lower than 5th and might rise to 3rd.

It’s South Africa and Sri Lanka who are in serious trouble.

In practice, I think that Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka would be perennial promotion and relegation specialists.

Thanks, for mentioning it's your opinion, which is understandable.

I don't think public is that gullible not to understand that there is a ranking table for the reason and teams are picked/qualified based on that ranking. It doesn't happen in World Cup (even England isn't guaranteed for a free spot for 2023 WC - they have to be among top 8 teams in ODI ranking table to avoid qualifier), or it doesn't happen in other sports - even France will go through the qualifiers for 2022 - BUT, it's your opinion, I can't help much.

However, it may be acceptable to pick top 6 sides for 2021-23 edition from previous position (2019-2021 Championship), REGARDLESS of ranking position - for that, instead of personal opinion of fan base, we'll have to wait till the end of current cycle.

BUT, I am not sure on what basis you are putting SRL or even WIN in lower tier right now, if it's not based on ranking position at the cut-off for this round.

 

[TalhaSyed]

I think the ICC and a certain group of cricket fans should really give up on this obsession of excluding teams from competitions. This narrow mindedness will prove to be the death of the game.

I dont know how anyone in their right mind can think excluding teams for ODI world cups and Test competitions will ever allow the sport to grow around the globe and allow teams to improve.

 

[aloo paratha]

Yes, that keeps PAK in elite group, few months back it would have been to 8.

Yes, as if I said that a few months ago. You've made a fool of yourself with regards to this topic twice already, why are you looking to make it a hattrick?

 

[MMHS]

Yes, as if I said that a few months ago. You've made a fool of yourself with regards to this topic twice already, why are you looking to make it a hattrick?

I'll keep it recorded every time you try to fool us with your 7+5 logic - to keep PAK undeservingly in elite half. Few months back it didn't work, won't in future either - if it's two division, it has to be 6+6.... Doesn't matter who is at 7th spot.

Now come back with more insult - but, I'll keep it recorded here - no. 7th team doesn't deserve to be in top half of a 12 team pool.

 

[Junaids]

Thanks, for mentioning it's your opinion, which is understandable.

I don't think public is that gullible not to understand that there is a ranking table for the reason and teams are picked/qualified based on that ranking. It doesn't happen in World Cup (even England isn't guaranteed for a free spot for 2023 WC - they have to be among top 8 teams in ODI ranking table to avoid qualifier), or it doesn't happen in other sports - even France will go through the qualifiers for 2022 - BUT, it's your opinion, I can't help much.

However, it may be acceptable to pick top 6 sides for 2021-23 edition from previous position (2019-2021 Championship), REGARDLESS of ranking position - for that, instead of personal opinion of fan base, we'll have to wait till the end of current cycle.

BUT, I am not sure on what basis you are putting SRL or even WIN in lower tier right now, if it's not based on ranking position at the cut-off for this round.

OK, let’s fast forward to the group stages of the Euro’2020 football tournament in June.

I’m 100% sure that teams will advance according to where they finish in the group table - not what their UEFA ranking is.

Test cricket is the same now. The World Test Championship table has made both the Test Rankings system and previous results irrelevant.

That’s very unlucky for Sri Lanka, who had only just won in South Africa before the WTC began.

For Pakistan it’s frankly a mixed blessing. On the one - fortunate - hand it wishes away the pathetic UAE defeats to Sri Lanka and New Zealand. On the other - more reasonable - side it means that genuine home series count instead of neutral venue ones.

It is what it is. Rolling two year cycles which are good in that only recent history counts, but bad in that teams play each other either home or away and not both.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

I think the ICC and a certain group of cricket fans should really give up on this obsession of excluding teams from competitions. This narrow mindedness will prove to be the death of the game.

I dont know how anyone in their right mind can think excluding teams for ODI world cups and Test competitions will ever allow the sport to grow around the globe and allow teams to improve.

Basically this.

Teams improve when they play more cricket and the cream rises to the top automatically. Instead of allowing foreign players from weaker nations in strong domestic structures, people just want countries to be reduced. That kind of thinking will eventually lead to the big 3 playing each other and then having two domestic t20 leagues with a few token players from here and there.

Bangladesh is improving steadily and has gotten much better over time. Hopefully, they will be winning regularly at home and an odd match here and there away. That's practically what even the most established test nations do; win at home, lost most of the matches abroad.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

That's your biased judgement for an English, born in Dhaka, Pakistan fanatic. If it's a 6+6 spilt, no way, no way you can put Pakistan in top half over Srilanka. And BJP Govt. has very little to do in it.

Yes, one way you can say that there can be two divisions with eight teams in top half & rest four in bottom as emerging teams, which should keep WIN in too half as well.

I understand India has lost a Test in NZ and PAK has won back to back Tests against SRL & BD, so you are quite frequent these days n PP, but try to be impartial here, if you really want to make a point. Can you explain in what logic PAK should be in top six, while SRL, WIN in bottom half. Only, only logic can be prioritization of Test cricket by the Board/Country - even in that regard PCB/PAK will come last - first elite team to start 2 Test series.... 20 years back!

Test cricket needs trams where cricket is popular as this game is rapidly declining in half of the few countries it's played. But, if there is any status co established, it must be based on some criteria - as a genuine cricket enthusiast like you, I would expect proper logic of your suggestion.... and I hope that logic will be better than Mickey Arther’s choice of job, based on talent.

and the crying starts.... Pak was no1 test team a couple of years ago... beaten the SL at home... drew series in eng (where all other asian teams just get trashed and Bang gets brutally thrashed) twice and you argue abt pak being in bottom half?

SL, apart from their miracle win in SA, has been a poor poor side
WI have been a much better side than SL and will trouble teams if they get consistency

 

[aloo paratha]

I'll keep it recorded every time you try to fool us with your 7+5 logic - to keep PAK undeservingly in elite half. Few months back it didn't work, won't in future either - if it's two division, it has to be 6+6.... Doesn't matter who is at 7th spot.

Now come back with more insult - but, I'll keep it recorded here - no. 7th team doesn't deserve to be in top half of a 12 team pool.

I am in reality, you are living in an imaginary world. Your 6+6 will NEVER happen. Here's why:

You proposed 10 series in 104 weeks, 5 home, 5 away. A series of only 2 tests will take 3 weeks to complete, which will mean 30 weeks of cricket. 30/104 doesn't sound bad if test matches were the only format of the game that was played, and all series were 2 tests only.

But in reality, that is not the case. In reality, 6-7 weeks each year are taken out because of the IPL, 5 on average every year will be taken out for a world event, then you have to account for the amount of LOI cricket is played. India last year (2019) played about 20 weeks of LOI cricket, not including the WC(which took almost 2 months), you're delusional if you think teams will lessen the amount of LOI cricket they play to increase their test matches played. Then you have to account for rest as well. 10 series in 2 years is a big cram anyways because countries like Australia, England, NZ relatively short home seasons due to the weather. So you are trying to fit in 30 weeks of cricket, in a 50 week period. All these cons are ignoring the biggest one, you think the big 3 boards will ever settle for only 2 match test series? Never, marquee series like The Ashes, Aus vs Ind, Ind vs Eng will always consist of 4-5 tests, and you will NEVER convince them to shorten them. Trust me, if your suggestion was possible, I'd be on board with it, because I personally am a test cricket fanatic. I'd watch matches of this championship even if Pakistan wasn't in it. I'd happily give up all T20Is to have more test cricket, but lots of fans, and most importantly, the boards do not think like I do.

My suggestion is well thought out, it has the interests of all in check, and still benefits the smaller boards, as I have a promotion/relegation system in place, my league is as fair as possible, as each team will face every other team, each team will play 3 series at home, and 3 away, every cycle, the home and away teams will swap (If India is touring NZ this cycle, NZ would tour India in the next cycle, same goes for all other teams).

Your suggestion is an illogical and unrealistic one, that is only being made out of your jealousy and spite of Pakistan. Deep down you know your proposal will never happen. There are 2 ways you can make yourself better, either be better, or bring others down with you. Clearly Bangladesh is not the former, so you are choosing to do the latter, and bring Pakistan down to the bottom league. I bet if Pakistan was #8 (which they were not long ago, and I'd still suggest the same model) and I suggested the same model you'd be on board, just because it wouldn't make you feel insecure about your own team.

Your statement "You would have changed your model to 8 teams a couple of months ago" is so illogical, it's actually comedic. My model, or any other model, would only come into effect for the 2023-2025 and onwards editions of the WTC, the FTP for this edition of the WTC, and the next edition have been out for almost 2 years now, they wouldn't make any changes on such short notice. Do you seriously believe that I think Pakistan will still be lingering at 7-8 come 2024-2025, whenever the qualification date is? I believe Pakistan will be ranked 5th by the end of this edition of the WTC, especially because our results from 2017-2018 under Mickey will be weighed a lot less. I believe Pakistan will be 5th yet I will still advocate for the model I have thought out, because it is realistic and sustainable. Next time Pakistan is rated anywhere other than 7th (above or below), tag me on this thread, and ask me if I still stand by my model, I will always say yes.

Anyways, I know you will still not understand what I have said, either because you can't comprehend it, or the more likely case, you will ignore everything I just said because the truth hurts. Not willing to beat this topic any further. I've said all I've need to say too many times.

There you go, hattrick complete! Hopefully third time will be the charm, and you'll finally keep shut.

 

[sweep_shot]

I don't think 2-tier division will happen. They will probably keep it between 8-10. I also can't see them having 12 teams for the championship.

 

[MMHS]

I am in reality, you are living in an imaginary world. Your 6+6 will NEVER happen. Here's why:

You proposed 10 series in 104 weeks, 5 home, 5 away. A series of only 2 tests will take 3 weeks to complete, which will mean 30 weeks of cricket. 30/104 doesn't sound bad if test matches were the only format of the game that was played, and all series were 2 tests only.

But in reality, that is not the case. In reality, 6-7 weeks each year are taken out because of the IPL, 5 on average every year will be taken out for a world event, then you have to account for the amount of LOI cricket is played. India last year (2019) played about 20 weeks of LOI cricket, not including the WC(which took almost 2 months), you're delusional if you think teams will lessen the amount of LOI cricket they play to increase their test matches played. Then you have to account for rest as well. 10 series in 2 years is a big cram anyways because countries like Australia, England, NZ relatively short home seasons due to the weather. So you are trying to fit in 30 weeks of cricket, in a 50 week period. All these cons are ignoring the biggest one, you think the big 3 boards will ever settle for only 2 match test series? Never, marquee series like The Ashes, Aus vs Ind, Ind vs Eng will always consist of 4-5 tests, and you will NEVER convince them to shorten them. Trust me, if your suggestion was possible, I'd be on board with it, because I personally am a test cricket fanatic. I'd watch matches of this championship even if Pakistan wasn't in it. I'd happily give up all T20Is to have more test cricket, but lots of fans, and most importantly, the boards do not think like I do.

My suggestion is well thought out, it has the interests of all in check, and still benefits the smaller boards, as I have a promotion/relegation system in place, my league is as fair as possible, as each team will face every other team, each team will play 3 series at home, and 3 away, every cycle, the home and away teams will swap (If India is touring NZ this cycle, NZ would tour India in the next cycle, same goes for all other teams).

Your suggestion is an illogical and unrealistic one, that is only being made out of your jealousy and spite of Pakistan. Deep down you know your proposal will never happen. There are 2 ways you can make yourself better, either be better, or bring others down with you. Clearly Bangladesh is not the former, so you are choosing to do the latter, and bring Pakistan down to the bottom league. I bet if Pakistan was #8 (which they were not long ago, and I'd still suggest the same model) and I suggested the same model you'd be on board, just because it wouldn't make you feel insecure about your own team.

Your statement "You would have changed your model to 8 teams a couple of months ago" is so illogical, it's actually comedic. My model, or any other model, would only come into effect for the 2023-2025 and onwards editions of the WTC, the FTP for this edition of the WTC, and the next edition have been out for almost 2 years now, they wouldn't make any changes on such short notice. Do you seriously believe that I think Pakistan will still be lingering at 7-8 come 2024-2025, whenever the qualification date is? I believe Pakistan will be ranked 5th by the end of this edition of the WTC, especially because our results from 2017-2018 under Mickey will be weighed a lot less. I believe Pakistan will be 5th yet I will still advocate for the model I have thought out, because it is realistic and sustainable. Next time Pakistan is rated anywhere other than 7th (above or below), tag me on this thread, and ask me if I still stand by my model, I will always say yes.

Anyways, I know you will still not understand what I have said, either because you can't comprehend it, or the more likely case, you will ignore everything I just said because the truth hurts. Not willing to beat this topic any further. I've said all I've need to say too many times.

There you go, hattrick complete! Hopefully third time will be the charm, and you'll finally keep shut.

Ideally, there shouldn't be any division - just 12 teams, can be accommodated into one group.

If there has to be any split - it has to be equal, so that both divisions has similar number of series, and some relegation/promotion. After that who ever is 7th will play at bottom half.

Bangladesh is ninth in ranking - cone back to troll here when I'll suggest 9+3 split and I'll be caught off guard to defend.... Just like someone it trying 7+5 model.

In fact, IRL & ZIM hardly plays Test & they are reluctant to host Test matches - ideally, it should be 5+5 split, with last two teams playing some games here and there.

The day, PAK finishes at 5th you won’t need to sell your model here - every other poster including me will accept that they deserve to be in elite group.

I also think, we should stop here - ICC has its model running which isn't hurting anyone, unless someone has specific agenda. Otherwise, we are heading to situation where every time BD loses a Test, this thread will be bumped to put us in lower tier.... and every time PAK goes through their usual SENA tour, I’ll come here to remind why they don’t deserve to be in top half.

 

[aloo paratha]

Ideally, there shouldn't be any division - just 12 teams, can be accommodated into one group.

If there has to be any split - it has to be equal, so that both divisions has similar number of series, and some relegation/promotion. After that who ever is 7th will play at bottom half.

Bangladesh is ninth in ranking - cone back to troll here when I'll suggest 9+3 split and I'll be caught off guard to defend.... Just like someone it trying 7+5 model.

In fact, IRL & ZIM hardly plays Test & they are reluctant to host Test matches - ideally, it should be 5+5 split, with last two teams playing some games here and there.

The day, PAK finishes at 5th you won’t need to sell your model here - every other poster including me will accept that they deserve to be in elite group.

I also think, we should stop here - ICC has its model running which isn't hurting anyone, unless someone has specific agenda. Otherwise, we are heading to situation where every time BD loses a Test, this thread will be bumped to put us in lower tier.... and every time PAK goes through their usual SENA tour, I’ll come here to remind why they don’t deserve to be in top half.

All 12 teams into one group is even more ridiculous.

I said this before as well, I am fine with a 9+3 split, as long as all teams play each other. I don't like the fact that every cycle one team doesn't play 2 other teams, it room leaves for people to complain that x didn't get to play y, and that team x had the easier draw, which is why they got to the final, etc. If somehow boards get convinced to play 8 series in 2 years, I will be on board, especially since I am a test cricket fan.

You're missing the point. The point is, that the day Pakistan finishes 5th, I will still advocate for this 7+5 split since I think it is best for all parties involved, and has a realistic chance of happening.

I have no agenda, if you are good enough to be in the top 7, you deserve it. I wouldn't have a problem with this model if Pakistan found themselves in the bottom tier. We almost didn't qualify for CT2017, it was not the fault of the format, it was team Pakistans fault for being garbage, same would go here.

 

[aloo paratha]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] Consider this topic separate to the other discussion we've had. Do you consider Bangladesh, with 60 points in the test ranking, worthy of being in the test championship when the next best team, the West Indies, have 81 points?

 

[sweep_shot]

You're missing the point. The point is, that the day Pakistan finishes 5th, I will still advocate for this 7+5 split since I think it is best for all parties involved, and has a realistic chance of happening.

Who told you it has a realistic chance? Do you work in ICC?

 

[Junaids]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

I would make two points.

Firstly, given the ages of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah and Babar Azam, I don’t think that even Misbah can mess up Pakistan being a Top Five team for the next decade through to 2030.

Secondly, I think the ideal is a 3 year World Test Championship in which you have a 6 team First Division and a 4 or 5 team Second Division.

That

1. Ensures all teams in a Division to play each other home and away each cycle,
2. Ensures that all the major teams meet.
3. Ensures that a relegated “big team” can get back up inside 3 years, not 4.
4. Leaves enough time per cycle for teams to play marquee 4 or 5 match series, while having a minimum length of 2 or 3 matches per series.

My own thinking may be wrong, but is this. As soon as the BJP loses power, India and Pakistan will resume playing one another. And when that happens the income generated by those series will be irresistible for both Boards.

 

[aloo paratha]

Who told you it has a realistic chance? Do you work in ICC?

Well because the main aspect stays the same. Each team would still play 6 series in 2 years, the same as what they have already agreed to. It would be very hard to convince boards to play 8 or 10 series in the same time line.

 

[aloo paratha]

I also think, we should stop here - ICC has its model running which isn't hurting anyone, unless someone has specific agenda. Otherwise, we are heading to situation where every time BD loses a Test, this thread will be bumped to put us in lower tier.... and every time PAK goes through their usual SENA tour, I’ll come here to remind why they don’t deserve to be in top half.

Also, this is a false equivalence. Pakistan losing a test match/series abroad is not in any way comparable to Bangladesh losing a test match/series in their backyard. Our low point of tests in 2019 was getting battered by Australia, in Australia. Your guys' low point of 2019 was losing a test match to Afghanistan at home. As I said before, not comparable.

 

[BDfanforever]

Also, this is a false equivalence. Pakistan losing a test match/series abroad is not in any way comparable to Bangladesh losing a test match/series in their backyard. Our low point of tests in 2019 was getting battered by Australia, in Australia. Your guys' low point of 2019 was losing a test match to Afghanistan at home. As I said before, not comparable.

Dont forget, you guys almost* lost the World Cup game to Afganistan lol.

 

[aloo paratha]

Dont forget, you guys almost* lost the World Cup game to Afganistan lol.

Firstly, stop living in 'almosts'. secondly, the longer the game, the lesser the amount of upsets there should be. A weak team can get the better of a strong in 40 overs of a T20 or 100 overs of an ODI. No team should be outplayed across 5 days.

We won the ODI by 3 wickets, with 2 balls remaining, you guys lost the test match by a whopping 224 runs. Again, not comparable.

 

[tyron_woodley]

should pakistan be part of test championship for performing the way they did vs australia?
should n.z be part of test championship for getting brutally smashed in australia?

Should india be part of test championship for getting annihilated in the first test?

 

[MMHS]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] Consider this topic separate to the other discussion we've had. Do you consider Bangladesh, with 60 points in the test ranking, worthy of being in the test championship when the next best team, the West Indies, have 81 points?

Good point - I never considered BD TO BE IN Top group, therefore your question is a bit foolish.

But, do you see what you have done here - WIN is 5 points behind PAK and they actually were ahead couple of months back - still it didn't stop you to put them lower tier - that's why I said, it's 7+5 split from you, for a reason....

 

[MMHS]

Also, this is a false equivalence. Pakistan losing a test match/series abroad is not in any way comparable to Bangladesh losing a test match/series in their backyard. Our low point of tests in 2019 was getting battered by Australia, in Australia. Your guys' low point of 2019 was losing a test match to Afghanistan at home. As I said before, not comparable.

In the 150 years history of this game, the biggest shame was PAK LOSING A 4 Innings game to Robert Mughabe’s ZIM, that too 7 years back, when they were just returning from self imposed Test ban..... If you had the sense what it actually was, won't have come to talk here who’s who.

 

[viveks]

In the current test championship teams only play 3 series home and away, so it would be logical to split them into 3 tiers of 4 if we would want everyone to play eachother(which is the best way to have a league table) . Politics obviously will hinder that though, so current test championship will probably be the best we get.

 

[aloo paratha]

Good point - I never considered BD TO BE IN Top group, therefore your question is a bit foolish.

But, do you see what you have done here - WIN is 5 points behind PAK and they actually were ahead couple of months back - still it didn't stop you to put them lower tier - that's why I said, it's 7+5 split from you, for a reason....

You still don't get it. I give up.

 

[Heisenberg111]

In the 150 years history of this game, the biggest shame was PAK LOSING A 4 Innings game to Robert Mughabe’s ZIM, that too 7 years back, when they were just returning from self imposed Test ban..... If you had the sense what it actually was, won't have come to talk here who’s who.

Didn't Zimbabwe drew in Bangladesh in 2018? At least Pakistan drew away in Zim in 2013,lol Also Bangladesh is yet to win a test series in Zim.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

no

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan is that weak bully in school who gets pasted by the big boys and keeps picking on the small, weak kid to feel good about himself.

Our attitude towards Bangladesh is sickening. Just because we don’t have the caliber to compete with India, Australia, England etc. doesn’t mean that we should disrespect Bangladesh to feel better.

We didn’t learn any lessons from the 2018 Asia Cup humiliation.

If Bangladesh doesn’t deserve to be a part of the WTC, then neither does a pathetic 7th ranked team like Pakistan.

 

[Ozeirk]

Pakistan is that weak bully in school who gets pasted by the big boys and keeps picking on the small, weak kid to feel good about himself.

Our attitude towards Bangladesh is sickening. Just because we don’t have the caliber to compete with India, Australia, England etc. doesn’t mean that we should disrespect Bangladesh to feel better.

We didn’t learn any lessons from the 2018 Asia Cup humiliation.

If Bangladesh doesn’t deserve to be a part of the WTC, then neither does a pathetic 7th ranked team like Pakistan.

Pakistan hasn't been a world beater but a decent team overall. They drew the test series in England which Bangladesh and india cannot think of doing. They almost qualified for the last 4 in the world cup. They are a number 1 ranked team in t20. You are just over the top.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

At full strength Bangladesh and West Indies will be right up there with Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

If we define top division as the teams that can compete with the best consistently it would be:

India
Australia
England
New Zealand
+/- South Africa

2nd division would be the teams that can only upset those teams or beat them at home:

Pakistan
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Bangladesh

 

[Ozeirk]

At full strength Bangladesh and West Indies will be right up there with Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

If we define top division as the teams that can compete with the best consistently it would be:

India
Australia
England
New Zealand
+/- South Africa

2nd division would be the teams that can only upset those teams or beat them at home:

Pakistan
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Bangladesh

Ausl and england cannot beat Pakistan at home. On neutral venues it’s anyone’s game. Pakistan however can beat england at England’s home. I will rate pakistan higher.