Future belongs to day-night Tests, says Misbah

42-yea-old believes more five-day cricket under lights will help players adjust to playing with pink ball

Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq insisted that players should adapt to facing the pink ball, as the future belongs to day-night five-day cricket.

The Green Caps will start their defence of the number one spot in Test cricket against West Indies in October, and the 42-year-old believes more day-night cricket will help player embrace changes quickly.

"[The] future belongs to day-night Tests and this should be played frequently," Misbah was quoted by Cricket Australia. “If the future is with day-night Tests, then we have to play it more often so we can start embracing it quickly. “

Misbah further added that the dilemma of choosing the perfect colour of the ball for day-night Tests can only be solved if teams play more in those conditions. “There are problems, whether it's a pink or orange ball, for batsmen and fielders so far,” he said. “These issues can only be sorted out by playing more cricket under lights with pink balls.”

The Mianwali-born middle-order batsman further said that playing Tests under lights is good for cricket.  “Since the game is played for the fans and for the audience, this night cricket is the future and it's definitely good for cricket.” said Misbah. “The more frequently we play under lights, it will give more exposure and allow players to get used to it."

Pakistan are due to play their first ever day-night Test in the upcoming series against West Indies, which will start from October 13 at Dubai Cricket Stadium.

Ahead of their first official outing with the pink ball against the struggling Windies side, Misbah admitted that his side will need to make a few adjustments.

"We will have six to seven days before the first Test, so we have to train maximum under lights with the pink ball, and try to understand the conditions,” he added. “Since a better part of the match will be played under lights, it's basically a night Test, and that’s why we have to start from the scratch and try to adjust the timing of the sessions, understand how the ball will travel under lights, how much the ball will swing under lights, and how much the dew factor will be affecting it.”