Cricket: Pakistan plans day-night Test with Sri Lanka

KARACHI, August 15, 2013 (AFP) - Pakistan cricket authorities said Thursday they have proposed playing day-night Tests in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates in a bid to attract bigger crowds. "The time and weather would be ideal as there will be no dew at that time and it will be feasible to play under lights," said Sarwar, who disagrees the idea would cost more to an already financially-hit PCB.

"Studies we have done reveal that day-night Tests will generate more public interest and in turn more gate money," said Sarwar. "The sponsors are also interested as they get prime time viewing."

The UAE has a large expatriate Pakistani community but few show up to watch Test matches, in part because they are played during the day when most are at work. The first Test starts in Dubai on December 31. The other two Tests are in Abu Dhabi (January 8-12) and Sharjah (January 16-20).

The International Cricket Council (ICC) last year approved the idea of day-night matches played under floodlights as a way to stem dwindling interest in Tests in many countries.

No country has yet tried the new format and the ICC has left it to individual boards to decide when and how to experiment.

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