Zaheer Khan questions point system of World Test Championship
Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has questioned the point structure of the ICC World Test Championship, while also acknowledging the tournament as a welcome addition. After their victory over England at Edgbaston, Australia became the first team to put their name on the Test Championship scoresheet.
After years of discussion and contemplation, the ICC World Test Championship was finally made a reality on August 1, as England and Australia clashed in the first of 72 Tests that would be played between 2019 and 2021 to crown the undisputed champion. With every match carrying an added value to it, the World Test Championship is a welcome addition to international cricket, as it virtually eliminates the idea of a "dead rubber".
However, former Indian speedster Zaheer Khan believes that there's still a lot of work to be done, and has questioned the point system of the coveted tournament. The current system sees each series carry a total of 120 points, with the points for each match depending upon the total number of matches in the series. Khan believes that this system is flawed, saying that it works against the sides that are bound to play longer series'.
"The talk around it has been on for what, 10 years now? I am happy that it is on the floor but there will be issues as the format will evolve. I think it is very nice to have a championship around Test cricket. But when you look at the point system and look at how it is approached, there are lots of question marks around it," Khan told Cricbuzz in a talk show.
"A lot of work needs to be done to put a structure around it," he further added.
Elaborating on the issue, Khan pointed out at Australia's efforts at Edgbaston which earned them just 24 points instead of 60 as it was a five-match series, indicating that the system was radically flawed.
"The point system is very confusing. For the same amount of effort, you can get 60 points or 24 points. Now Australia should have got a lot more points for the win in Birmingham but they will get lesser points because they are playing a five-match series," he explained.
The Men in Blue will kick off their Test Championship campaign against the Windies on August 22nd.