ICC Gets Advice From Pakistan To Give 100000 Dollars For Test Revival

Shoaib Akhtar's special advice for ICC [Source: AFP]

The first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan got underway in Mirpur on Friday morning as Test cricket returned for the first time in 124 days, i.e., the end of the Ashes series down under.

As noted by many, this is the longest unforced gap between two Test matches in over 50 years, keeping the Covid-19 pandemic aside. The long gap between two Tests got people thinking about the future of what is known as the purest format of the sport and its long-term survival.

To tackle these issues, Pakistan's great, Shoaib Akhtar, is said to have come up with a unique idea, but it was dismissed by the ICC.

ICC dismisses Shoaib Akhtar’s idea to save Test cricket

Since the introduction of the World Test Championship in 2019, the format has seen some limelight once again, as every match became competitive and teams thrived for results over draws. However, some of the teams are still eluded of world class Test squads, given the prominence T20 cricket has gained in the last decade or so.

While several ideas, like an expanded World Test Championship involving 12 teams and four-day Tests, are being proposed to guarantee better quality, Shoaib Akhtar asked ICC to promise a fixed amount for every Test. However, he alleged ICC cares more about money than the sport itself.

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“Give $100k per Test match. That’s what I suggested to the ICC to revive and grow Test cricket. They said, no, we want to save money, not cricket,” he told PTV Sports.

Pakistan fights back against Bangladesh at Mirpur

In the first Test since January 2026, Bangladesh looked at the top against the visiting Pakistan, as the middle-order chipped in with big runs, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto’s century. Shanto got 101 (130), alongside Mominul Haque’s 91 (200) and Mushfiqur Rahim got 71 (179) to pile up 413 runs in over four sessions of play.

Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s pick of the bowlers with 5/92 (34) before the top-order responded with a brilliant start to their first innings. Debutant Azan Awais is closing in on his maiden century with an unbeaten 85 off 133 as his overnight score. Imam-ul-Haq got 45 off 72 and another debutant, Abduallah Fazal, with 37*(78), has taken Pakistan to 179/1 on Stumps Day 2.

Notably, former skipper Babar Azam is controversially sitting out of the Test, as Shan Masood announced an injury, followed by contrary reports regarding his full fitness. It remains to be seen if he returns to the XI for the second Test match in Sylhet, considering strong outings for the debutants.

Exciting months of Test cricket ahead

Following the Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh, where the visitors are looking to avenge for the 2024 series loss at home, a lot of exciting Test cricket is set to be played in 2026.

As the teams look to resume the WTC 2025-27 cycle, New Zealand will tour England for three Test in June, followed by Bangladesh's tour of Australia in August, Pakistan's tour of England in September and thene the biggest series of them all, Australia's tour of South Africa.

Before the end of the year, New Zealand will also host India and cap off 2026 with a Trans-Tasman Test series against Australia, eyeing their first away series win since 1985.

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