‘Requires proper preparation’: Babar Azam turns down pink-ball Test idea after draw vs Sri Lanka

Pakistan Reject Pink-Ball Proposal After Rawalpindi Test Ends in Draw

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has ruled out switching to a day-night format for the second Test against Sri Lanka, saying the team would need more time to prepare for a pink-ball match. His comments came after fading light brought the opening Test in Rawalpindi to an early close, leaving the contest drawn and reviving debate about how best to manage limited daylight.

The second and final Test of the series will also be played in Rawalpindi. It had originally been scheduled for Lahore, but the venue was changed amid concerns about daylight and the time available for play. The decision to retain the traditional red ball means both teams will continue with the format they prepared for, despite the conditions that affected the first match.

Babar says Pakistan need time to prepare for pink-ball cricket

Asked whether Pakistan would consider a day-night Test, Babar acknowledged that the format could help address low-light problems. However, he said a switch at short notice would be difficult for a side that spends most of the year preparing with the red ball.

“I think it’s a good option, but it requires proper preparation,” Babar told the broadcaster. “We play with the red ball throughout the year, so suddenly switching to the pink ball within a couple of days doesn’t give a Test team enough time to prepare adequately. It is certainly an interesting option, and if we have more time to prepare for it, it could be a different ball game altogether.”

The schedule leaves little room for a major adjustment. The first Test concluded on November 13, with the second due to begin on November 17 at the same venue. That brief turnaround would require players to adapt quickly to a ball with different visibility and behaviour, as well as potentially altered session timings and playing conditions.

Babar’s position is not necessarily a rejection of day-night cricket altogether. Instead, it highlights the practical challenge of introducing a pink-ball Test without a suitable preparation period. Teams typically need time to train under lights and assess how the ball behaves at different stages of the day, particularly during the evening session when visibility and movement can change.

Low light shapes discussion after Rawalpindi draw

The first Test ended in a draw after umpires stopped play because of poor light. While the match produced a substantial amount of cricket, the late interruption underscored how daylight can influence the result and rhythm of a Test, especially when conditions limit the time available to complete scheduled overs.

A day-night match is one possible response because it allows play to continue into the evening under floodlights. But the format brings its own demands. The pink ball can behave differently from the red ball, and players must adjust to changes in visibility as natural light fades and stadium lighting takes over. For a team given only a few days to adapt, those variables can affect batting, bowling and fielding.

The venue change to Rawalpindi was made against this backdrop, with organisers seeking to address concerns around daylight. Babar’s comments suggest that any future move to a pink-ball Test would be more effective if announced early enough for both teams to prepare properly.

De Silva and Mendis lead Sri Lanka’s first-innings response

Pakistan batted first after losing the toss and posted 434 in their opening innings. Saud Shakeel anchored the innings with 97 from 199 deliveries, narrowly missing a century after spending significant time at the crease. Babar also contributed a half-century, helping Pakistan build a strong total on a surface that offered the home side a platform to put Sri Lanka under pressure.

Sri Lanka’s reply began poorly. Pakistan’s bowlers struck twice with the new ball, leaving the visitors needing a steady recovery. That response came through the middle order, where captain Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva produced centuries to take Sri Lanka past Pakistan’s first-innings score.

Their partnership was central to the match’s balance. Rather than allowing the early wickets to dictate the innings, the pair rebuilt and turned Sri Lanka’s reply into a position of strength. Their runs ensured the visitors were not simply defending against Pakistan’s total, but applying pressure of their own before the match moved into its later stages.

Pakistan’s second innings leaves the match finely poised

Pakistan returned to bat with the contest still open, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers made important inroads. The hosts were eventually dismissed for 284 for eight before the match reached its conclusion, with Babar scoring 34 in the second innings. The total kept Pakistan in the game, but the remaining time and the light conditions left little opportunity for either side to force a result.

The draw reflected several competing elements: Pakistan’s sizeable first-innings score, Sri Lanka’s strong middle-order response and the visitors’ ability to take wickets in the second innings. The late loss of playing time then limited the chances of a decisive finish. For supporters following the series and the World Test Championship standings, the result also makes the second Test particularly important.

What to expect in the second Test

With the pink-ball option set aside, the upcoming match is expected to follow the conventional red-ball format. Pakistan will aim to make better use of their batting opportunities, while Sri Lanka can take confidence from the resilience shown by Mendis and de Silva. Both sides will also be aware that managing time and maintaining momentum could prove crucial if daylight again becomes a factor.

The latest prediction for the series will depend on how quickly each team adjusts after the drawn opener. Pakistan have the advantage of playing at home and will be eager to convert promising positions into a win. Sri Lanka, however, have already shown that their middle order can counter pressure and build a substantial total. The second Test therefore offers a fresh contest, with the first match providing evidence that neither side can be discounted.

Babar’s comments add another dimension to the discussion around Test cricket in Pakistan. Day-night matches can offer a practical way to extend playing hours, but the format works best when teams have enough notice to prepare. For now, the immediate focus is on the red-ball second Test in Rawalpindi—and on whether either side can turn the lessons of the drawn opener into a series-winning performance.