PCB drafts 11 day-night first class games in domestic season

In an attempt to prepare players for day-night test matches in future, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced to organize 11 day-night first class matches in the upcoming domestic season. 

According to a PCB official, the country’s premier domestic tournament, the Quai-e-Azam Trophy will be played from 1st October till 14th December, 2016 with top 16 first-class teams participating.

A total 69 FC games will be played during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and 11 of them will be under floodlights and will be played with Pink Kookaburra balls.

“For the first time eleven first class matches including final of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will be played as a day-night match with pink Kookaburra balls in order to help our players get familiarized with such conditions,” said the spokesman of PCB while announcing the schedule of domestic season.

The spokesman further added that PCB has also given a substantial raise in match fees for the players, as well as their daily allowances and other facilities.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed that it will play a day-night test against Australia later this year at Brisbane from December 15th, while a day-night Test is also proposed for the upcoming home series against West Indies in the UAE in October.

Meanwhile, the PCB has confirmed the domestic calendar for the season with the first major tournament of the season, the national T20 cup commencing from August 25th.

The National T20 cup will be followed by the premier first class tournament “Qauid-e-Azam Trophy” and soon after its conclusion. top eight departmental teams will play National ODI tournament for departments from 17th December 2016.

The National One Day cup for regional teams will be played from 8th to 27th January 2017 while the Pentangular One Day Cup, the “Pakistan Cup” will be played from 11th April to 5th May 2017.

Faizan Lakhani is a sports correspondent at Geo News, he tweets as @faizanlakhani