Dubai International Stadium set to host maiden Day-Night Test

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Dubai International Stadium set to host maiden Day-Night Test
Maqbul Dudhia, general manager Dubai Sports City and Usman I. Wahla, general manager International Cricket Operations PCB toss up the pink ball during the media tour prior to the first Day-Night Test match to be played between Pakistan and West Indies at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. -

Published: Tue 11 Oct 2016, 10:29 PM

Last updated: Wed 12 Oct 2016, 10:55 AM

Hosts Pakistan take on the West Indies at the multi-purpose Dubai International Stadium (DIS) in the first Test on October 13, the first ever Day-Night encounter at the level in the UAE, using the pink ball.
This is only the second time that a Day-Night pink ball Test will be held in the world after the first at the Adelaide Oval in November 2015 during the Australia-New Zealand series.
Also, by hosting Pakistan's 400th Test match from Thursday to Monday (3.30pm-10.30pm on all days), DIS, located in the sprawling Dubai Sports City (DSC) complex, reaches another milestone in its renowned status as a world class sports destination. The venue also boasts of having hosted the most number of T20 internationals to date, 36 to be exact.
Qamar Ahmed, a former Karachi and county cricket left-arm slow bowler who has covered a record 423 Test matches as a commentator and writer, told Khaleej Times: "This no doubt is a special occasion. Pakistan will be looking forward to regaining the No. 1 spot in Test rankings in their 400th Test while the Windies will as usual be a force to reckon with."
A media tour was arranged by the organisers at the venue where the ultra-modern facilities and the specially designed lighting setup, were shown around by DSC general manager-Sports Business, Maqbul Dudhia, on Monday evening. The 'Ring of Fire' floodlighting design at the stadium is a unique feature in the world of cricket.

The current matches between the West Indies and Pakistan at DSC are part of seven days of international cricket at DIS between September and November, 2016.
"The Day-Night Test affords everyone an opportunity to come out and see the purest form of cricket and the special occasion this time will see added colour to the wonderful atmosphere at the stadium," Dudhia said.
"We have extraordinary facilities, the lighting system is amazing. We have the best of lights, even from a global perspective, right up there with the best venues in the world, and the original German architectural design is such where the crowd's moods and cheering becomes an ambience one cannot forget, if one gets to experience it," he added.
DSC partner Abdulrahman Falaknaz, a cricket fan himself, said. "For us to be able to produce such a stadium where by you can play during the day and you can play during the night, with the facilities available. It's a proud moment for us and also good for the spectators to give them a chance to come and watch their favourites play Test cricket."
Usman Wahla, Pakistan Cricket Board general manager, International Cricket Operations, said: "This is an extraordinary time for Pakistan Cricket, as the team prepares to play its 400th Test match, and to cross that milestone in a Day-Night Test makes it even more special at our home away from home."
Meanwhile, International Cricket Council (ICC) general manager-cricket, Geoff Allardice, said: "The ICC too is pleased that the concept is gaining wider acceptance across its members. We had the first D/N Test in Adelaide, and now with the second one in Dubai this week it's a great opportunity for the new concept in the Test format to move forward."
moni@khaleejtimes.com

By Moni Mathews

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SP101016-SK-CRICKETNewly introuduced Pink color cricket ball for the first Day night Test Pakistan against West Indies at Dubai International cricket stadium, Dubai Sports City. 10 October,2016. Photo by Shihab
SP101016-SK-CRICKETNewly introuduced Pink color cricket ball for the first Day night Test Pakistan against West Indies at Dubai International cricket stadium, Dubai Sports City. 10 October,2016. Photo by Shihab

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