Pakistan likely to accept Australia's day-night Test offer with pink ball

The PCB is likely to accept Cricket Australia's invitation to play a day-night Test in 2016.

New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to accept Cricket Australia's invitation to play a Day-Night Test, when the two teams face-off in December 2016.

"We have been advised by the PCB chairman to take up the offer by Cricket Australia," Shakeel Sheikh, the PCB cricket committee's chairman told ESPN's Cricinfo.

However, Sheikh added that they will first sought players's assurance before taking the final decision.

"There has been detailed research on using the pink ball and we have sought a 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," Sheikh added.

The report also said that the PCB is likely to purchase in bulk an improved version of the pink ball and distribute it among the teams for practice sessions, and using it for the final of Quaid-e-Azam trophy — Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament.

"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.

“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 continued.

Then, PCB's cricket committee will draft an in depth report on playing with the pink ball next summer.

Two years ago, the PCB took the initiative to become the first country to play Test cricket under floodlights against Sri Lanka in UAE, but the proposal was declined by SLC, citing their players' lack of practice with the pink ball.

And, the PCB even tested the orange ball during the 2010-11 season final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while the 2011-12 season final was played with the pink ball.

Australia will play New Zealand in a groundbreaking Day-Night Test, starting on November 27 at the Adelaide Oval. The fourth Test of the current series is likely to use the pink ball, in a first.

And last week, Australia invited Pakistan to play a Day-Night Test when they tour Down Under in the winter of 2016-17 for a full series.