Pakistan might play one more Day/Night test ahead of Australia tour
Pakistan are keen to host the West Indies in a Day/Night Test in October leading up to the ultimate pink ball showdown with Australia in December. The PCB have reportedly sent a proposal to the West Indies cricket board to play a D/N Test during their Test series against Pakistan in the UAE in October.
If the WICB accept the offer, the Pakistan team will get some much-needed preparation ahead of the all-important December Test at the Gabba.
The PCB had been long interested in pink-ball cricket having already sent a proposal for a D/N Test against Sri Lanka in the UAE back in 2013. The proposal was then turned down by the Sri Lanka cricket board.
Even if the WICB turn down the offer, the PCB is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that Pakistan arrive in Australia with full confidence in tackling the pink ball.
Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq said that plans have been made to expose the cricketers to pink-ball in cricket in the Quad-e-Azam Trophy, the country's premier first-class tournament, with every team all set to feature in one D/N first-class match this year.
Misbah said that though there are some practical difficulties, D/N Tests have a good prospect of wooing back spectators to the game.
"Although we as players have some concerns about playing under lights, especially the batsmen who have found it difficult to bat in the evening session with the pink ball, I think day-night Test cricket is (needed)," Misbah told cricket.com.au.
"There will be excitement among players but at the same time, there will be some concerns too because Test cricket is already quite difficult and it will become even more difficult for the batsmen."
Ramiz Raja also seemed to be echoing the Pakistan Test captain as he remains appreciative of the concept of D/N Tests.
"It is very good innovation and will help Test cricket to increase the audience. The crowd is losing interest in Test cricket and I think day/night Tests can bring it back especially in Asia," Ramiz said.
"PCB should look to experiment it in the UAE as the small crowds are a concern in Asia.
"If you remember people raised concerns about T20 cricket as well but it didn’t take long before they accepted the format. Similarly, it will take some time before we come to terms with the concept of day-night Test cricket."
The final of the Quad-e-Azam Trophy has been held under lights for three years now as a measure taken by the PCB to give the players more experience of tackling these conditions.