Has Pakistan ever hosted a pink-ball Test? Full record as Babar Azam, Mike Hesson open to idea to counter bad light

Has Pakistan ever hosted a pink-ball Test? Full record as Babar Azam, Mike Hesson open to idea to counter bad light originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Pakistan have never hosted a pink-ball Test on home soil.Mike Hesson wants the option discussed before future home series.Babar Azam says a pink-ball Test needs more than a couple of days of preparation.Has Pakistan ever hosted a pink-ball Test?No, Pakistan have never staged a pink-ball Test inside the country. The two they hosted came in Dubai during the years of exile, against West Indies in October 2016 and Sri Lanka in October 2017, and no day-night Test has been played in Karachi, Lahore or Rawalpindi since cricket returned home.The question has resurfaced after bad light and rain ended the first Test against Sri Lanka in a draw at Rawalpindi, with play stopped on the fourth evening and the fifth day leaving Pakistan unable to force a result despite declaring on 434 for 9.Head coach Mike Hesson made it clear he wants the option on the table, citing the ICC rule change that now permits it."It is certainly something that needs to be talked about for the future series. It is going to be a challenge to play Test matches in this time of the year regardless of where in Pakistan. As the ICC have now allowed that to be an option, this is something that seriously needs to be considered before the series," Hesson said.Captain Babar Azam and head coach Mike Hesson are open to the idea of pink-ball day Tests at home after rain and bad light forced the first Test against Sri Lanka to end in a draw ✨Read more: https://t.co/xudngyZjfcpic.twitter.com/LndF2kxrV4— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) November 13, 2026Babar Azam welcomed the idea but ruled it out for the second Test, which starts in Rawalpindi on November 17."You will need to prepare for it as we usually play with the red ball. A couple of days are not enough to prepare to play a Test with the pink ball. It is good that we have it as an option, but the preparation for a pink ball Test demands more time," Babar said.MORE: 'If conditions are flat…': Hesson's bizzare way of defending Babar's strugglesPakistan's record in pink-ball TestsPakistan have played four day-night Tests and won only the first. That win at Dubai in 2016 remains the best innings by any batter under lights, with Azhar Ali making 302 not out and Pakistan declaring on 579 for 3 before Devendra Bishoo took 8 for 49 in the second innings.The three defeats since have all been heavy. Sri Lanka chased down a target in Dubai in 2017 despite Asad Shafiq's 112, and at Adelaide in 2019 Pakistan were beaten inside four days as David Warner made 335 not out.YearOpponentVenueResult2016West IndiesDubaiWon by 56 runs2016AustraliaBrisbaneLost by 39 runs2017Sri LankaDubaiLost by 68 runs2019AustraliaAdelaideLost by an innings and 5 runsWhat the ICC rule change means and whether Pakistan should use it?The rule Hesson refers to came into force on October 1, 2026. As a trial, the pink ball can now be used in daytime Tests if both boards agree, purely to cut the time lost to bad light.The agreement must be made before the match starts, and the ball cannot be swapped once play begins, so there is no switching mid-Test as the light fades.That makes it a scheduling tool rather than a tactical one, and Pakistan's November calendar is exactly the problem it was written for. Smog already forced the second Test out of Lahore, and Rawalpindi lost the fourth evening to light with Pakistan having just taken wickets.Babar is right that two days is not enough, but the preparation argument cuts the other way over a longer horizon. Pakistan have not played a pink-ball Test since 2019 and have never hosted one at home, so the only way to be ready for the next one is to schedule it with notice rather than keep refusing it at short notice.For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary, and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.