One-off and incredibly important cricket game should not be played in the UK: Kevin Pietersen

India and New Zealand are currently involved in the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The historic Test match isn’t going as per the plan due to England’s fickle weather. The game is being interrupted by rain at regular intervals and this has resulted in a complete washout of days one and four. 

In addition, the play during day two and day three was also stopped many a time in between due to drizzle or bad light. Due to continuous interruption in the Test, many in the cricket fraternity believes that the International Cricket Council (ICC) caused a major blunder by choosing the United Kingdom (UK) as a venue for the World Test Championship final. 

Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen echoed the same sentiments as he reckoned that no one-off cricket matches or incredibly important games should be hosted in the UK. Sharing a message on his official Twitter handle, the England skipper asserted that it pains him to say this but England isn’t an ideal venue. 

“It pains me to say it, but a ONE-OFF & incredibly important cricket game should NOT be played in the UK,” Pietersen tweeted taking a dig at the ICC for opting Hampshire Bowl in Southampton as the venue for a marquee final.

It pains me to say it, but a ONE OFF & incredibly important cricket game should NOT be played in the UK.

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) June 21, 2021

Dubai would always host a one-off match like this WTC game: Kevin Pietersen

Further, Pietersen also suggested a potential venue that could have hosted the World Test Championship. The veteran believes that the Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has all the attributes of being a perfect host to the ICC event. 

Counting the benefits of hosting the WTC final between India and New Zealand in Dubai, Kevin added that it is a neutral venue and has a fabulous stadium. Also, there is no tension regarding the weather disturbing the game and the stadium has excellent training facilities. 

“If it was up to me, Dubai would always host a one-off match like this WTC game. The neutral venue, fabulous stadium, guaranteed weather, excellent training facilities, and a travel hub! Oh, and ICC home is next to the stadium,” the flamboyant former England batsman wrote.

If it was up to me, Dubai would always host a one off match like this WTC game.
Neutral venue, fabulous stadium, guaranteed weather, excellent training facilities and a travel hub!
Oh, and ICC home is next to the stadium.

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) June 21, 2021