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Today's Paper | May 03, 2024

Updated 20 Jun, 2016 02:40pm

West Indies agree to play day-night Test against Pakistan in UAE: report

The West Indian Cricket Board (WICB) has agreed to the idea of a day-night Test against Pakistan in the UAE in September, after some initial reluctance.

According to ESPNCricinfo, the WICB gave its nod to the proposition after the PCB offered a practice match and training session under lights as an incentive.

The PCB has been a keen supporter of day-night Test cricket.

It has shown eagerness to host a one-off fixture and earlier had offered to play one against Sri Lanka in 2013; however the Sri Lankan board rejected the proposal due to their teams' a lack of practice with the pink ball.

The PCB also will introduce 10 day-night matches in the upcoming Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, including the final and semi-final matches to make sure that all top teams have a chance to experience day-night long-form cricket.

The PCB also proposed a change in the tour itinerary; calling for increase in the number of Tests from two to three, cutting off the number of ODIs from five to three, and adding one more T20 match in the schedule.

The board had earlier considered Sri Lanka to host the West Indies, instead of the UAE, due to the rising costs of the latter venue.

This proposal had come about after the inaugural Pakistan Super League cost the PCB $3 million to host over two weeks in the UAE.

However, the idea was forgone after the risk of monsoon rains in Sri Lanka was taken into account.

Pakistan has seen very little international cricket action at home since 2009, when gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, resulting in the deaths of six police officers and two civilians, and injuries to multiple Sri Lankan cricketers, staff and a reserve umpire.

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