New Delhi: Indian bowler Mohammed Shami on Tuesday backed the use of the pink ball in cricket after its first-ever appearance in a multi-day game in Kolkata, a possible precursor to a day-night Test later this year.
Shami led his Mohun Bagan team to a thumping victory against the Bhowanipore Club in a four-day inter-club final hosted by the Cricket Association of Bengal.
Shami bagged seven wickets in total to be named man of the match on Tuesday in an impressive comeback from injury before India's tour of the West Indies in July.
"I would prefer playing with the pink ball in comparison to the red ball. It's a great invention and I hope it prospers," Shami said after the match.
"Here we have two sessions under lights and just one in daylight and as a bowler I would enjoy that. I believe players and the audience would love it.
"If it remains dry, there is a chance of getting reverse (swing)," the 25-year-old pacer said.
The match, broadcast live in India, drew steady crowds according to television commentators.
The success of the match is expected to have a bearing on attempts by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to host a day-night pink ball Test against New Zealand in October.
The board announced earlier this month that the domestic Duleep Trophy tournament in September would for the first time be played under lights with a pink ball.
Australia and New Zealand played the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide with a pink ball last year, attracting huge crowds in a boost to the struggling five-day format.
