Shahid Afridi believes a five-Test series between India and Pakistan will be bigger than the Ashes

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi firmly believes that if India and Pakistan were to play a five-Test series, it would overtake the Ashes as the most fierce rivalry in cricket.

The Ashes, where England take on Australia, is considered to be the most hotly-contested series in international cricket.

However, Afridi insisted that if India and Pakistan played each other in the longest format, the rivalry between the two nations would easily surpass that of England and Australia.

“The Ashes series played between England and Australia is considered as the fiercest rivalry but a five-match Test series between India and Pakistan can be bigger than that,” he told NDTV.

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja echoed Afridi’s sentiments, and added that a Test series between the two arch-rivals could even aid in saving Test cricket.

“First of all, Pakistan need to up their game against India,” he said. “India-Pakistan matches will be hot-sellers. If you want to save Test cricket, India and Pakistan have to play each other. It has a different buzz and vibe. Players will learn the art of playing under pressure.”