Published: Sep 27, 2016, 09:35 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 27, 2016, 09:45 AM (IST)
Pakistan‘s Test skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq has given a thumbs up to the concept of Day-Night Test cricket. The 42-year-old captain, is expected to lead Pakistan in the upcoming three Test series against West Indies, which will also see the two teams competing in a Day-Night Test from October 13-17. Pakistan though is also scheduled to play in a Day-Night Test against Australia later this year. Many former and present cricketers have voiced their opinion in context of Pink-ball cricket in the recent past, with some of them giving it a thumbs up and some giving it a thumbs down. Misbah though clearly felt that the “future belongs to night Tests”.
“Future belongs to night Tests and this should be played frequently. It’s a good thing that PCB increased the number of [first-class] day-night games in domestic cricket, and each team will be getting two games or so this season. If future is with day-night Tests, then we have to play it more often and we have to start embracing it quickly. Like we play one-day cricket with white ball, and this pattern had been adapted everywhere in domestic and even in club cricket, ” Misbah said as quoted by Cricbuzz. READ: Pakistan to play day-night Test vs West Indies at Dubai in October 2016
Only recently Sachin Tendulkar had said that he was not too sure of the idea of Pink ball cricket despite a number of matches have been organised with it. The final of the Sheffield Shield, Duleep Trophy 2016-17, and India A’s Tests in Australia, all saw the Pink ball being tested.
Misbah felt issues with the Pink ball can only be sorted out if more Day-Night Tests are played. “Meanwhile, there are problems, whether it’s a pink or orange ball, for batsmen and fielders so far. These issues can only sorted by playing more cricket under lights with pink balls. Since the game is played for the fans and for the audience, this night cricket is the future and it’s definitely good for cricket. The more frequently we play under lights, it will give more exposure and allow players to get used to it,” he said.
Misbah also explained that Pakistan will have to get accustomed to conditions and practice under lights before the first Test gets underway in Dubai. “We will have six to seven days before the first Test, so we have to train maximum under lights with pink ball, and try to understand the conditions. We have to adjust to the timing of the sessions, understand how the ball will travel under lights, how much the ball will swing under lights, and how much the dew factor will be affecting it. If you see, the major chunk of the Test is in night, so it basically isn’t really a day-night Test. So we have to start working from scratch,” Misbah said.
