PCB interested in Australia's offer of playing day-night Test

The PCB are interested in CA’s offer but want to conduct further tests on the pink ball before taking a final call

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have responded positively to Cricket Australia’s (CA) invitation to play a day/night Test match when the 2 teams clash next year in December, ESPNCricinfo reports. The PCB, however, wants to take the players into confidence before sending any confirmations to CA.

They are also considering to test the pink ball in their premier first-class league, the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. The PCB will be taking a set of new and improved versions of the pink balls for the players to practice and wants to see how things work out before any kind of acceptance. With some players raising concerns over the pink ball, it’s important for the PCB to take them on board before sending any official notices.

Shakeel Sheikh, the PCB Cricket Committee Chairman told Cricinfo: “We have been advised by the PCB chairman to take up the offer by Cricket Australia.There has been detailed research on the pink ball and we have sought the copy to discuss every point about it. Some players including Misbah-ul-Haq have raised their concerns and we would want to take them on board to record their points as well."

The PCB is also thinking of sending someone as an observer of the first day-night Test match to be played between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide from November 27 to see how the ball plays in its debut.

“We are also thinking to send someone to as an observer to witness the first game between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide. But at the time are obviously keen and enthusiastic about the idea and the committee will debate about playing the Quaid-e-Azam trophy final with the new pink balls," Sheikh said.

Pakistan has already tested orange and earlier versions of the pink balls in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, but there have been major concerns with the sight screen and the ball’s colour taking on the seam. The PCB is currently looking to buy a number of improved versions of the pink ball and they will be sending the balls for practice sessions and will be following up with the feedbacks from the players.

“The ball we came to know has improved and ready for the top cricket as it been a while we had experimented with the orange and pink,” Sheikh said.

This is not the first time that Pakistan have been involved in the working of day-night Test matches. In fact, they could have been one of the first two teams to play a Test match under lights against Sri Lanka, only for the island nation to reject the approach saying that their players “lacked practice with the pink ball.”