KARACHI: Pakistan’s former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has called on India and Pakistan to consider playing their scheduled Test series in the United Arab Emirates in December under lights to revive the fortunes of the five-day format.

Teams have been unwilling to travel to UAE, Pakistan's 'home' venue, for Test matches in the summer and Latif believes day-night games may address that issue as well.

“South Asian region should seriously think about staging day-night Test matches for the survival of the format,” Latif was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

“It is an issue on which cricket authorities in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh should have taken the lead, especially Pakistan. But even now it is not too late and they should follow it up earnestly,” he said.

The 46-year-old former captain, appreciating Australia and New Zealand’s initiative, said: “Test matches are dying in the cricket world and it is good that Australia and New Zealand have realised this.”

Australia and New Zealand will play the first day-night match in Test cricket's 138-year history, the respective boards of the countries announced Tuesday.

Despite misgivings among players, officials from both countries decided to proceed this year with the experimental format — played under lights and with a pink ball — which they hope will drive up attendance and television ratings.

The outspoken Latif said it was a step in the right direction to revive the fortunes of cricket's traditional format.

“There are only a handful of countries now where still a sizeable number of people come to watch Test matches like in India or England.

“But otherwise it is getting tougher to attract crowds for the five-day game with the increasing popularity of T20 cricket and changes to ODI rules,” Latif, who represented Pakistan in 37 Tests and 166 ODIs, said.

Commercially viable

In absence of international cricket from Pakistan due to security concerns of other teams, Latif suggested for the initiative to be experimented in other countries.

“I think it would be a great idea commercially to have a day and night Test in the UAE or in other countries of the South Asian region.

“I think people would come in to watch Tests after work hours. You can start the Test around 3pm and it would ensure good crowd in the final session of a day.

“Day-night Test matches would also get increased television ratings and viewership because of the prime time slots,” he said.

Latif said when Pakistan play England or India later this year in the UAE, the boards should discuss the possibility of a day-night Test.

The 46-year-old said he was surprised the PCB did not move first on day-night Tests despite experimenting it in its domestic circuit.

“It was Pakistan which had first taken the initiative in staging day and night first-class matches with a pink ball; it is surprising that they did not follow up on this concept for its home Test matches.

“Playing day-night Test was not a bad idea at all. It is not difficult to play with the pink ball and it is clearly visible under lights,” said Latif.