PCB warns against ‘elitist’ Test split as ICC explores two-tier future
As the ICC explores radical changes to the World Test Championship (WTC), Pakistan has emerged as one of the most vocal opponents of the proposed two-division system — warning that the move could erode Test cricket’s global reach and deepen the divide between elite and developing nations.
According to a report by Cricket Pakistan’s Salim Khaliq, the Pakistan Cricket Board has come out strongly against the restructuring model, which is being studied by an ICC working group led by India’s Sanjog Gupta and supported by top administrators from England and Australia.
The idea would see Test-playing nations split into two tiers of six teams each starting with the 2027–2029 WTC cycle. Based on current rankings, Australia, India, England, South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka would make up Division One — while Pakistan, currently ranked 7th, would be placed in Division Two alongside the West Indies, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan.
PCB: It’s not just about us — it’s about the game
Despite Pakistan’s inconsistent recent record in red-ball cricket — five wins from their last 19 Tests — the PCB insists its opposition isn’t motivated by self-preservation, but by a commitment to fairness.
“Cricket is not the property of just a few powerful nations,” a senior Pakistan Cricket Board official told Cricket Pakistan.
The official added, “Smaller teams can only improve if they are given regular opportunities to play against top-level competition.”
Even if Pakistan manages to qualify for Division One before the new cycle begins, the PCB argues that a split structure will harm other developing cricket nations and threaten the long-term viability of the format.
“Even if we make Division One, what about the rest? This isn’t just about Pakistan. It’s about keeping Test cricket alive beyond five or six countries,” the official said.
Commercial logic vs. cricket’s global responsibility
Supporters of the two-tier proposal say it would improve competitiveness and streamline scheduling, making Test cricket more attractive for broadcasters. But the PCB sees danger in turning the longest format into an exclusive product for a few powerful boards and markets.
“If you isolate teams like Bangladesh or West Indies from playing top-tier opponents, how will they ever improve?” the PCB official asked.
This isn’t the first time Pakistan has resisted such changes. A similar proposal in 2016 was blocked with the support of boards like Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh — all of whom share concerns about being cut off from higher-level competition.
Pakistan eyes 2026 as a turning point in red-ball revival
While only five Tests are scheduled for 2025, the PCB is looking to 2026 as a key opportunity to rebuild momentum in the longer format. Pakistan is set to play nine Tests that year — two away in Bangladesh, two away in the West Indies, three in England, and two at home against Sri Lanka.
These fixtures are seen as a platform to climb the rankings and prove Pakistan’s ongoing relevance in the format — but the board emphasizes that performance alone shouldn’t determine which teams get access to elite competition.
Building alliances to protect Test cricket’s future
The PCB is expected to align with other full-member boards that would be impacted by the two-tier proposal. With the ICC working group preparing formal recommendations for later this year, Pakistan is likely to push for a united front against a structure they say would restrict the growth of Test cricket and reduce its global footprint.
From the PCB’s perspective, the battle isn’t just about rankings — it’s about protecting the soul of the sport’s most historic format.
