New Delhi, Feb. 15 -- Former England captain Michael Atherton has strongly criticized the upcoming India - Pakistan clash going to the extent of calling it a 'miserable, toxic spectacle' that has become 'too big to fail'. Atherton went on say that he would rather cover matches like Nepal and Italy rather than the India - Pakistan rivalry.

In an article for The Times, Atherton wrote, "This is the fixture that has become too big to fail - the contest that allows for the functioning of the international cricket system as it stands."

"All eyes on Colombo on Sunday, then. Money in modern cricket does not so much talk as scream, so it was always likely that a way would be found for the India v Pakistan game to take place. This is the fixture ...