There are issues with the seam, says Shafiq

Asad Shafiq gets ready for Day/Night Test

Dubai - Pakistan batsman Asad Shafiq hasn't played any pink ball cricket at all

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By James Jose

Published: Tue 11 Oct 2016, 11:39 PM

Last updated: Wed 12 Oct 2016, 1:42 AM

Pakistan batsman Asad Shafiq hasn't played any pink ball cricket at all and while he is excited about experiencing it in Test match conditions, the 30-year-old said there are issues with the seam.
Pakistan will play against the West Indies in their first day-night Test, also the first in the UAE, when they lock horns at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium from Thursday.
This will be the second day-night Test to be played after Australia played trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the inaugural day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval in Australia last year.
"I have no past experience of this ball. I never played any domestic match or any type of match with the pink ball. So, this is my first time and I'm really excited about it, about the way how it will go, especially the timings that we are playing. It can pull the crowd, the ones who are going to office, they can come and watch the match at this time. So, I'm really excited about it," Shafiq said during a media interaction ahead of the Dubai Test, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
"Visibility is ok but I have seen an issue with the seam. The normal ball has a white seam, which is the red ball. This one has a black seam so I have a bit of a problem when it comes to the seam. But visibility is clear and there is no issue.  It is only after we play a full game that we can base our judgement but visibility isn't an issue," he added.
Other than the day-night Test and playing with the pink ball, Shafiq said that Younis Khan, Pakistan's batting mainstay, will be missed. Veteran batsman Younis Khan has been ruled out of this landmark Test as he is recovering from dengue. "Throughout my career and since the start of my career, he has always supported me on and off the field on various aspects. Whenever there have been difficulties, I have gone to him and discussed.

James Jose

Published: Tue 11 Oct 2016, 11:39 PM

Last updated: Wed 12 Oct 2016, 1:42 AM

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