Pakistan are better prepared to play day-night Test cricket. Though Sri Lanka has turned down a request from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play day-night Test matches in the UAE during December-January this year, Pakistan will continue to remain well prepared for such an occasion.
Sri Lanka decided against playing day-night Tests since the national team players have not practised under lights with the pink or orange ball. The International Cricket Council had recently sanctioned day-night Tests if required and have told member nations to decide on the colour of the ball to be used for such matches.
According to Gulf News, Nadeem Sarwar, the spokesperson of the PCB, said: “Pakistan has used coloured balls for the finals of its domestic first class tournaments twice already. In the final of Quaid-i-Azam Trophy 2010-11 orange ball was used in the final which was held around January 2011. Then again in the next season final that is 2011-2012 of the same trophy which was held in December 2011 coloured balls were used. These matches were also televised live.”
When asked whether Pakistan would approach South Africa to play their Test matches scheduled to be held during October in the UAE at night, Sarwar said: “For the South African series no such proposal is on cards as yet.”
Incidentally, Abu Dhabi had hosted the experimental day-night matches with the pink ball in March 2010. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) which hosted the match was impressed with the result. In fact, the MCC Chief Keith Bradshaw even remarked that pink is much better than the white ball which is now used for day-night cricket.
The orange ball is now being talked about as ideal for Test cricket better than pink. One of the factors that is supporting orange ball is its better visibility. Many feel that orange beats pink in all match conditions as fluorescent colour is even used in ships during stormy conditions. Cricket Australia too has conducted a lot of tests with orange balls.
Interestingly, Cricket Australia has plans to host a day-night Test match during India series in 2014. The Emirates Cricket Board has expressed its willingness to stage day-night matches for Pakistan if required at all its venues. Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have the best lighting facilities for day-night cricket
