KARACHI: Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq wants the International Cricket Council (ICC) to conduct the World Test Championship exactly the way it has been planned even if it means extending the duration of the event due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Misbah’s statement came amid reports that the ICC is considering splitting points for unplayed games in the championship cycle which was originally scheduled to end in June-July 2021 with the final in England.

“The Covid-19 situation has hit the World Test Championship series but I would still prefer to see the ICC complete the championship with all teams completing their scheduled matches,” Misbah said in an interview on the Cricket Baaz channel on YouTube, according to Press Trust of India.

It was reported that the ICC’s cricket committee, which meets next month, will consider two options — splitting points or consider only those matches played by end of March and base final positions on the percentage of points sides have won from those they’ve contested.”I think the matches can be rescheduled because every team should get a fair chance to take a shot at qualifying for the final,” Misbah said.

The former Pakistan captain felt that the league can be extended to accommodate matches hit by the pandemic.

Pakistan’s one Test against Bangladesh in April has not been played due to the pandemic. Other countries have also had several of their scheduled series disrupted due to the pandemic.

“It is now up to the ICC. I don’t know how they will manage things and I hope it is for the best but personally I would think all teams would want a proper closure of the [Test] championship,” the Pakistan head coach remarked.

Meanwhile, Misbah said players from “western countries” are more likely to be hit by mental health issues if cricket is continued to be played in a strict bio-secure environment.

Pakistan themselves played in a bio-bubble created for their England tour in August this year.

The almost two-month long Indian Premier League is also being held in a protected environment amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Yes it is an issue about players and team officials facing mental health issues if cricket continues to be played like it is being held right now. As far as Pakistan is concerned I think our players due to their social environment are mentally very strong so they can get through this period,” Misbah said.

“But yes I believe in the long run, players and officials from western countries could be facing more such problems because their culture is different from ours,” Misbah told the Cricket Baaz channel on YouTube.

He noted that in Pakistani culture socialising was done differently but in western countries people were used to going out.

“For them I think this existing Covid-19 environment that has been created to ensure cricket is played is more of a challenge,” he added.

He said the restricted and isolated conditions on the England tour were difficult for the players but from a cricket point of view it also helped the Pakistani players and officials a lot.

“I think it was good for us because communication improved between management and players, the players were supporting each other a lot and generally the bonding in the team improved a lot.”

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2020