Pakistan to host Sri Lanka in a pink-ball Test in Dubai

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play a day and night Test match against each other in the forthcoming series between two countries which will be hosted in Dubai. Sri Lanka have never played in a pink-ball Test while Pakistan will be playing their third such game, which will be the second held in Dubai. The first one was played against the West Indies which the Pakistan side won quite convincingly.

Sri Lanka want to tour earlier than the proposed itinerary

The Islanders have requested the Pakistan Board to schedule the series for late September rather than in early October. The Sri Lankan team is scheduled to go on a full tour of India in November hence they want their tour of Dubai to start in September.

“The two cricket boards are still finalizing the itinerary for the series of two Tests, five ODIs and three T20 matches. The Sri Lankans have requested the series to start earlier in late September instead of early October,” a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told PTI.

However, the source has stated that Sri Lanka has agreed to participate in a day and night Test and the fixtures for the series will be announced next week. “We had asked them to play a day and night Test and they have agreed because we both feel it is a good attempt to bring crowds to Test matches and add more colour to the format,” he said.

Pakistan last played in a pink-ball Test in December in Brisbane during their tour of Australia. In a tightly contested Test match, Pakistan eventually lost the game by 39 runs while chasing a mammoth target of 490.

Sri Lanka say no to play in Pakistan

Pakistan have been very desperate to get international cricket back in their country. Ever since the brutal attack on the Sri Lankan team happened in early 2009, the international cricket has been stalled in Pakistan as no top team has agreed to tour their country. The source also revealed that Sri Lanka has turned down the offer of touring Pakistan for 2 T20 games but PCB still hasn’t given up.

“We are still talking to them and trying to convince them how important it is for Pakistan cricket to host some international matches at home,” he added.

Sri Lanka are not having the best of times in international cricket. Their home record, something they take a lot of pride in, has suffered a lot recently. With a new captain in charge, the Islanders have the perfect opportunity to rebuild during the tours of UAE and India.