Pak, West Indies set for day-night Test battle

DUBAI: Rival captains Misbah-ulHaq and Jason Holder backed day-night Tests to boost the future of cricket as Pakistan and West Indies play Asia’s first pink ball

Published on: Oct 13, 2016, 06:53:18 IST

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DUBAI: Rival captains Misbah-ulHaq and Jason Holder backed day-night Tests to boost the future of cricket as Pakistan and West Indies play Asia’s first pink ball Test in Dubai starting Thursday.

Australia and New Zealand featured in a day-night Test at Adelaide in November last year – the first such fixture in the 140-year history of Test cricket.

The innovation was aimed at reversing the trend of dwindling crowds in the five-day game, and it became an instant success with 123,000 people turning out for a three-day finish.

Veteran Pakistan skipper Misbah believes the day-night format represents the future of Test cricket. “At the moment it looks like the future, as far as the interest of the audience who want to watch Test cricket after they come from work,” he said.

“It’s a good opportunity and you will see it mostly happening in future,” added Misbah, whose team will also play in one of two day-night Tests hosted by Australia over the next couple of months.

“It’s worth trying in my opinion. First the one-day came, then Twenty20 came so it’s a good step to keep the Test cricket alive,” said the 42-year-old.

“Because the timings of the match are different, it will be different,” said Misbah, with play to start at 3.30pm local time.

Holder, Misbah’s West Indian counterpart, also supported the idea of day-night Tests.

“I like the concept and I think it is one that should be there to stay. For the future of international cricket we have to give a chance to something new,” said Holder. “It is something new, obviously teams might first take time to adjust to. Test cricket needs that bit of impetus, needs a bit of a push, I think possibly day and night cricket could be it.”

The remaining two Tests – both traditional day affairs – will be played in Abu Dhabi (October 21-25) and Sharjah (October 30-November 3).

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