SLC: Thanks but no thanks, Pakistan

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Sri Lanka Cricket have decided against playing a day-night Test in the UAE, as suggested by Pakistan, saying they didn't have enough experience with the conditions and using the pink ball to risk a Test series win.

Sri Lanka Cricket have decided against playing a day-night Test in the UAE, as suggested by Pakistan, saying they didn't have enough experience with the conditions and using the pink ball to risk a Test series win.

Pakistan have thus far been the only Test nation to consider playing day-night Tests since the ICC approved the idea last year. It was left up to each nation to hash out the details surrounding the ball, and this seems to have been the sticking point.

The SLC statement said: "Since the national team players have not practiced under lights and with the new pink ball, the executive committee decided to stand by the decision taken by the national team management, to inform PCB that SLC is not willing to play a day-night Test match as requested by PCB."

Prior to this, SLC boss Jayantha Dharmadasa had seemed keen on the idea, but it turns out those on the ground are not willing to risk experimenting in a proper series, even if the venue and conditions are thought to be ideal.

PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar had told Cricinfo: "The major aspect in our discussion with SLC is the correspondence on the colour and brand of the ball. The venues are definitely ideal and there is no dew factor involved in December and January."

So as it stands, the series in December will go forth as planned, red and white balls only, and will see two T20s, five ODIs and three daylight Tests played.

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