Hafeez wants more tests for Pakistan

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/600884.html

I came across this article the other day, and it really does reflect brightly on the Test game. Mohammed Hafeez, the Pakistani Test Vice-Captain has urged his governing body to schedule more tests as he believes it is the ultimate way for developing key players. With the advent of T20, and the new Pakistan T20 League being introduced, this is a really good sign that the experienced players in Pakistan want to play Tests.

Upon looking at the FTP and fixtures for this year, Pakistan should be playing 10 test matches. This includes 3 against South Africa coming up in March, 2 in the West Indies in July, 2 against South Africa, albeit this time a 'home' series, before three tests against Sri Lanka in another home series. As well as this their tour of Zimbabwe which was indefinitely postponed from January, could be played this year, making it 12 matches. If the Pakistan board hear this plea from Hafeez, then hopefully the 2 matches against South Africa could be upgraded to 3. As really, 2 test matches are pointless! Who wants to come away from that with a 1-1 scoreline. The uselessness of these series are reflected the best by Australia's tour of South Africa in November 2011, with a great series restricted to 1-1.

Although 2013, does not appear to be that bad in regards to test matches, 2014 is leaner with none being scheduled until October (against Australia). Hopefully Pakistan can play more test matches, as they are a team with great promise and talent, as evident by their 3-0 clean sweep of then no.1 ranked England last year. They are ranked fourth at the moment ahead of India, and a fair bit behind Australia in 3rd. The upcoming series against South Africa should be great, especially on the back of their two lopsided matches against New Zealand.