Karachi, September 11: Pakistan Cricket Board does not rule an offer from its English counterparts to play a day-night Test when its national team tours England next year, according to a PCB top official.
PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari today said he would not rule out ECB chief Giles Clarke offering Pakistan board chairman Ejaz Butt the possibility of a day-night Test when the two meet in London next week.
Butt will discuss with Clarke Pakistan’s tour of England next year besides the role of ICC special task force formed under the supervision of the ECB chief to identify methods how to push for resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.
“So far ECB has not made any formal request to us to play a day-night Test when we tour England next year but you never know since it is an important and interesting proposal it is likely to be discussed in the coming meeting,” Bari said.
The former Test captain said he found the concept of day- night Tests very interesting as well as intriguing.
“It’s still in infancy stages but since Bangladesh has given the go ahead for next year (against England) it makes it all the more interesting and significant.”
Bari said if any proposal comes to Pakistan it would consider all the pros and cons and the ICC’s stand on the issue before taking any decision.
“The good thing is that Bangladesh will be playing a day-night Test. If all ICC requirements are met other boards would be able to decide accordingly,” he said.
Meanwhile, in another development the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invited former pacers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Sarfaraz Nawaz to supervise a specialised fast bowler’s camp to be held in Lahore from October 8.
A senior official of the PCB confirmed that the chairman Ejaz Butt had given the clearance for the camp to be set up under the watchful eyes of former pacer and a senior coach at the National Cricket Academy Aaqib Javed.
“Aaqib will supervise the camp but we will have Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Sarfaraz Nawaz also in the camp to coach the youngsters,” the official said.
Incidentally, Sarfaraz has been a vocal critic of the PCB and its present set of officials and has been calling for the chairman Butt’s head since his appointment.
Aaqib, who was removed as assistant coach of the Pakistan team after the Sri Lanka tour, said he was looking forward to the camp as it could throw up some exciting young talents.
“Pakistan is blessed with spot on talent in the pace department and having people like Wasim, Waqar and Sarfaraz giving tips to the youngsters would be a great experience for the youngsters,” he said.
Aaqib also made it clear that he had no hard feelings with the board for removing him as national team assistant coach and said he had already resumed his work at the NCA.
“The PCB feels there is no need for a assistant coach on tours but their utility is more in camps and academies and I have no problems with that,” he said
—–PTI