Babar Azam Open to Pink-Ball Tests in Pakistan but Urges Adequate Preparation

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has signalled his support for hosting pink-ball Test matches in the country, saying the team would be open to day-night cricket at home provided players are given enough time to adjust to the different ball. His comments came after the opening Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka ended in a rain-affected draw.

The first Test in the series was disrupted heavily by weather and poor visibility, with roughly 141 overs lost over the five days. Bad light repeatedly forced early close of play, and rain further interrupted proceedings on the fourth day. The International Cricket Council has previously approved the use of pink balls in day Tests as a way of reducing stoppages caused by fading light.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Babar said that while he welcomed the idea, moving to the pink ball for the second Test — scheduled to begin on November 17 at the same venue — would not be practical given the short turnaround. He explained that players would need a different kind of preparation because they spend most of their time training with the red ball.

"You will have to prepare differently for the pink ball and two-three days are not enough because we play with the red ball throughout," Babar said. "If we get a chance to prepare with the pink ball for longer then it is certainly something we would be open for."

Reviewing the drawn match, Babar praised his opening batters for giving Pakistan a solid foundation on a surface that had been expected to favour the bowlers. Pakistan declared their first innings at 434 for 9, with Mohammad Taha, Tayyab Arif, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel and Arafat Minhas each contributing a half-century.

Sri Lanka responded strongly after early setbacks, with Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis sharing a 249-run partnership and both reaching centuries. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 446, with debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan taking seven wickets to help Pakistan fight back after Sri Lanka had progressed to 404 for 4.