Cricket Australia (CA) is set to request the BCCI to agree for more than one Day/Night Test during India's 2021 tour Down Under, when officials of the two boards meet on the sidelines of a three-match ODI series in January next year.
According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, CA feels encouraged about the proposal after India won their maiden Day/Night Test against Bangladesh in Kolkata recently.
A CA delegation, led by its Chairman Earl Eddings, will meet BCCI top brass during the three-match ODI series in India starting January 14 next year.
"As you build that trust and build that relationship you have that chat," Eddings told the website.
"Pleasingly they've played their first day-night Test and won easily. Now they've got through that it might give them the right build-up to it over here. I've got no doubt they'll consider playing one and maybe even more day-night Test matches. But that's down the track to when we catch up with them in January," he added.
CA Chief Executive Kevin Roberts, while talking to ABC Radio recently, also spoke about having more than one Day/Night Tests during what is meant to be a four-match Test series.
"...in my heart I'd say four from four, in my head we'd love to play one of the four as a day-night Test, he said.
Eddings said CA also wants the BCCI to consider adding one more Test to the traditional four-match series that the two countries play.
"Ideally we want to be playing five Tests against India, hopefully in the future we can do that as well," he said.
India's maiden Day/Night Test was a result of the initiative taken by new Board president Sourav Ganguly, one of the country's most successful and charismatic former captains. He managed to convince Bangladesh for a Day/Night game within a week of taking over on October 23.
"The fact India are playing day-night Test cricket is a great thing. It shows that he cares about the game. We've exchanged letters, I'm going over there with some of our board members in early January for some of the ODIs where I hope to meet with the new BCCI administration," Eddings said of Ganguly.
"I want to stress we've got a very strong relationship with India, there's a lot of mutual respect there. While we have our differences because we've got different needs, the relationship is very strong," he added.
Maxwell closer to return, trains with Victoria
Australia's Glenn Maxwell seems to be moving closer to a comeback from his mental health break after the all-rounder was seen training with his state side Victoria here.
Maxwell, who stepped away from cricket to deal with his unspecified problems during Australia's Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka in October, returned to club cricket recently.
He has played three Victorian Premier Cricket matches with club side Fitzroy Doncaster since and has taken part in some aspects of Victoria's Shield program.
On Thursday, the 31-year-old, who bowls off-spin, participated in Victoria's training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
"I think he is doing everything he needs to do ... when he is ready to come back (he will)," teammate Marcus Harris was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
"I'm not sure if it is this week or Big Bash, but he's not far away I think," he added.
Victoria will take on Western Australia at the MCG starting on Saturday, but Maxwell has not been named in the squad.
Harris said it will be left to Maxwell to decide the right time to return to the game on a full-time basis.
"I think those sort of guys need some space. I think they've got everyone hounding them about what's going on and what they're doing," Harris said.
"They are adults. Maxi has been really good and all the guys dealing with stuff have been very good and we just put our arm around them and support them," he added.
Naseem Shah included in Pakistan's squad for U-19 World Cup
Pacer Naseem Shah has been included in Pakistan's 14-member squad for the upcoming U-19 Cricket World Cup, selection committee confirmed on Friday.
Shah played the first Test against Australia at The Gabba in November this year.
Rohail Nazir has been retained as the captain of the side, while prolific opener Haider Ali has been appointed as vice-captain.
"I want to congratulate all the players on their selection in the Pakistan squad for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020," Saleem Jafar, chair of the junior selection committee said in an official statement.
"I know some of the players will be disappointed at not being picked, but it was a tough task as we had a pool of some very exciting and exceptionally talented players to choose from. I would encourage all the players who have missed out on selection to remain positive and motivated as I am confident there will be opportunities for them down the road," he added.
Pakistan is placed in Group C of the 16-team event and will play Scotland in their opening match on January 19.
Pakistan's second match will be against Zimbabwe while their third and final group match will be on January 24 at the JP Marks Oval against Bangladesh.
The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super League, while the remaining teams will feature in the Plate Championship.
The Super League stage will commence from Tuesday, January 28 and the top four sides will qualify for the semi-finals, with the winners competing for the title on February 9.
Pakistan squad:
Openers - Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Haider Ali, Mohammad Shehzad
Middle-order batsmen - Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Huraira and Mohammad Irfan Khan
Wicketkeeper - Rohail Nazir (captain)
All-rounders - Abbas Afridi, Fahad Munir and Qasim Akram
Spinners - Amir Ali and Arish Ali Khan
Fast bowlers - Amir Khan, Naseem Shah and Tahir Hussain
