Pakistan to propose six-day Tests

Shaharyar Khan: 'We will go to the ICC in the hope that the Test matches in Pakistan in winters be extended to sixth day' © AFP

Pakistan is considering proposing six-day Tests to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to combat the weather conditions that have brought about early closures to the days' play during the current series against England.

Over 50 overs play was lost during the second Test at Faisalabad due to poor light and already 32 overs have been lost in the ongoing third Test at Lahore. Due to security issues in Karachi and Peshawar, Pakistan is confined to playing most of its matches in the province of Punjab. During this time of year, however, the light deteriorates dramatically in the afternoon and fog is also often an issue.

"The solution lies in that at a particular time of the year we may have to play a six-day Test," Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, said. "This seems to me the obvious solution. So we will go to the ICC in the hope that the Test matches in Pakistan in winters be extended to [a] sixth day."

Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, agreed that the game's governing body would give the proposal serious consideration. "I think it is a peculiarly Pakistan problem at this time of the year. It's not a new issue, it's been around for some time. Perhaps the solution is to get a six-day Test at this time of year in Pakistan."

Speed, who is currently in Pakistan to watch the final Test between Pakistan and England by invitation from the PCB, added: "It is something that has to be considered some time, but it's a worthy suggestion by the PCB and something that I am sure other ICC members will give serious consideration."

With regards to the ongoing Test, Shaharyar said he hoped floodlights would help to get the full daily quota of 90 overs but that it was difficult for batsmen to sight the red ball in lights. "We hope that by having lights in Lahore we will be able to extend the playing hours until the number of overs has been bowled. But you saw that the umpires offered the light to the batsmen and they took it. I know the reason for this was that the red ball and the light that we have did not go together. It was too difficult for batsmen to sight the ball so they went off."

However, Shaharyar ruled out scheduling matches for earlier in the season to avoid this problem. "We have to play international cricket between October and April. It is unfair on visiting teams to make them play in extreme heat so this is our season [and] we have to live with it."