Cairns to host Pakistan for day-night warm-up

Cairns to host Pakistan will warm up for their first day-night Test against Australia with a match under lights in the tropical north Queensland city of Cairns.

Pakistan are currently the world's number one ranked Test team, although they will relinquish that title to India when their series against New Zealand completes. They will play a Cricket Australia XI in Queensland's far north from December 8-10.

The match will have full first-class status and feature a pink Kookaburra ball to provide Pakistan with their major lead-up game to the first Test against Steve Smith's Australians at Brisbane's Gabba stadium from December 15-19.

Day-night Tests using a pink ball are a key component of Australia's home international schedule for 2016-17, which also includes hosting South Africa under lights in Adelaide.

It will be the first international match in Cairns since the resort town hosted Tests against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in 2003 and 2004.

Cricket Australia head of operations Sean Cary said Cairns was an ideal venue to host the tour match.

"The lighting at Cazaly's Stadium is very good and the overall playing conditions are first class," he said.

"The pitch has had a very good reputation and we are confident it will provide a competitive environment."

Gabba curator Kev Mitchell Jnr, and Allan Border Field's Jarrod Bird, will be on hand to assist with preparations to ensure the best conditions.

Pakistan's tour match will be streamed live on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app. For local residents and travelling fans, tickets will be available at the gate, with adults $10, concession $5 and under 16s free.