Sri Lanka is all set to become another entrant in the day-night Test club with one of their two Tests against Pakistan later this month will be played with the pink ball under lights in the United Arab Emirates.
The Islanders are scheduled to play two Tests, five One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals against the reigning Champions Trophy holders with the series starting from 28th of this month.
Confirming the proposal of the day-night Test, a Sri Lanka Cricket official told AFP: “The exact itinerary will be released shortly.”
The pink-ball cricket, which made its debut in 2015, is slowly but steadily carving its place in international cricket with England, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and Windies already getting a taste of playing the oldest and the longest format of the game under the lights.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also gearing up to play at least one of the three T20Is in Pakistan if the security permits them to go ahead with the plans. Pakistan holds horrible memories for the Sri Lankan team which came under terrorist attack in 2009 when the team bus was heading towards the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Since then, only Zimbabwe and Afghanistan have visited the country.
However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has now shown urgency in bringing back international cricket to Pakistan. The Men in Green are scheduled to play a three-match T20I series against a World XI side at home.
Last month, SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala had said Sri Lanka would not hesitate in visiting the country. He had insisted that Sri Lanka is ready to play at least one T20I in Lahore if all logistical and operational plans fall in place.
“Cricket is a game of change, chance and chase,” Sumathipala had said. “The game today, and its following is very different to what it was ten years ago, and as administrators, we are faced with a different set of challenges to overcome. World cricket is in the hands of the unity of Asia. We need to respectfully understand each other’s problems and stand by each other. This is the spirit of the Asian Cricket Council.”