Sri Lanka is set to play the first ever Day-Night Test Match after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday responded positively to a proposal from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play one Day Night Test Match during the upcoming series between the countries in UAE.
Sri Lanka will travel to UAE later this year and will be involved in a three Test series during the months of December and January. Responding to a query from The Island on PCB’s request, SLC Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa sounded positive. “When Twenty-20 cricket came into the picture no one liked it but now everyone loves Twenty-20. I believe that Day Night Test cricket also has a place in the game,” Dharmadasa said yesterday.
” But one problem is that we haven’t played any Day Night cricket in the longer format of the game domestically. So our players aren’t used to it. We will speak to everyone concerned and take the right decision,” Dharmadasa added.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews too was asked for his thoughts on the matter. “It’s entirely up to the Cricket Board to decide. We are willing to play and it is up to the Board to decide whether we are going to use the white ball or the pink ball.”
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the locations earmarked to stage the Day-Night Test Match. “The venues are definitely ideal and there is no dew factor involved in December and January,” Nadeem Sarwar, the PCB spokesman was quoted as saying.
It is said that Day Night Test Matches will bring crowds back to Test cricket as well and the time slots have excited broadcasters as well.
The ICC last year approved Day Night Test Cricket, but left it to member boards to decide on the way forward.
