Misbah-ul-Haq outlines his team's preparations for Brisbane day-night Test, which could include pink ball Windies clash
Pakistan propose 'home' day-night Test
Pakistan hope to host the West Indies in a day-night Test in October ahead of their pink-ball showdown with Australia in December, while captain Misbah-ul-Haq has confirmed domestic day-night matches will also form a crucial part of his team's preparations for the Brisbane Test.
Cricket.com.au understands the Pakistan Cricket Board has sent a proposal to West Indies Cricket Board to play a day-night Test in October this year, when the Windies will tour the United Arab Emirates for two Tests and six limited-over internationals.
If the offer is accepted, it would be a major boost to Pakistan, who generally to play their home UAE Tests in front of empty stands.
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It would also ensure they travel to Australia well-equipped to handle the tricky conditions as they aim to become the first team to defeat Australia in a Test at the Gabba since 1988.
The PCB has long been a supporter of day-night Test cricket, having been the first nation to formally invite a team, Sri Lanka, to play a Test under lights in Dubai in 2013 – an offer turned down by Sri Lanka, due to their players’ lack of match practice with the pink ball.
Image Id: ~/media/496C459FB8794E8A867B7162FCD56EDA Image Caption: The first day-night Test is Adelaide was a success // GettyEven if the offer is knocked back by West Indies, Misbah confirmed the Pakistan players would be exposed to the pink ball in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the country’s premier first-class tournament, with every team likely to play at least one day-night first-class match later this year.
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"If you don’t have match practice it will become difficult to play at Test level," Misbah, who is an advisor to the PCB’s cricket committee, told cricket.com.au.
"It was one of the things discussed in the cricket committee’s previous meeting.
"The bowlers are at advantage in the evening session and it becomes very difficult for batsmen under lights. That is one reason the cricketers from other countries are also reluctant to play Tests under lights.
"One more reason is the lack of match practice with the pink ball. The players have hardly played any cricket under these conditions at the domestic levels. They need more match practice before playing it at international level."
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Misbah said while he still held some concerns about batting under lights with the pink ball, he was prepared to back the concept as he believes day-night Tests are necessary to rejuvenate the sport.
"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).
"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."
Image Id: ~/media/124432784ED14FF198FDF1252AB5C382 Image Caption: Misbah believes day-night Tests will revive the format // GettyHis views were backed by former Pakistan captain and PCB chief executive Ramiz Raja, who also supports the idea of hosting day-night Tests in the UAE.
"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 told cricket.com.au from India.
"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."
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Ramiz said international players should take pride in knowing that they were part of cricket’s evolution.
"Obviously the players will have a little difficulty while adjusting to the new conditions but they shouldn’t be much worried about it otherwise they won’t be able to enjoy it and will lose excitement," he said.
"As an international cricketer you should be able to adjust to the conditions. It shouldn’t be that difficult. The players should take pride in knowing that they are going to become part of the evolution of cricket."
While toppling the current No.1 Test team on home soil will be no easy task for Pakistan in December, Ramiz believes Pakistan’s potent pace attack could hand them a major advantage under lights.
"Pakistan has a good record in Test cricket and have done well lately. Their bowlers have the sort of CV which can give them job anywhere.
"Due to their pace attack they will be at advantage playing under the lights."
For the last three years the PCB have held the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy under the lights in Karachi, giving their players crucial experience in the conditions.