THE build-up to change seems to have intensified. Away from Pakistan’s own little experiments with various formats of the game, international cricket is currently facing an onslaught of new ideas.

At one place, the debate is about doing away with the toss at the outset of a match and letting home teams decide whether they want to bowl or bat first.

At the same time, the proposal for four-day Test matches has been revived with some seriousness against the backdrop of quick finishes such as the one in Nagpur last week in which India defeated South Africa inside three days.

And if this were not a repulsive enough idea for the leisurely gentleman in white flannels, he is left to frown upon the first-ever day-night Test where he is made to chase an unfamiliar pink ball that cannot, to the conventional mind, ever rival the feel and shine of the old cherry.

Some protest at the death of values and tradition — before the incorrigibly hooked find new ways to reconcile with the new, more instantaneously gratifying offerings inside a cricket field.

On the other hand, there are discussions about the variety available to connoisseurs of the game and to the excited, non-traditional fans. In reality, however, this debate about changes is a realistic reminder that the look of the game may change sooner than anticipated in the past.

Just as Pakistan tries — quite unsuccessfully at the moment — to be equally competitive in all formats of cricket, it can be said that some of the old varieties of the game are being nudged onto the fast lane towards their eventual exit.

It’s been a few years since those who proudly stood by the five-day Test were asked to turn up in considerable numbers at the stadium in order to save their favourite format from becoming obsolete.

The response to that warning has been patchy and popular attention appears to be turning towards the faster versions on the market.

So much so that on occasion even the 50-over-a-side brand tie is considered too laborious and time-consuming when an outcome and plenty of revenue can be had from a contest lasting 40 overs. The countdown continues.

A country can have three different teams playing three different formats — Tests, one-dayers and T-20 games.

The game cannot quite continue to have enough spectators for all three categories to prosper.

(Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2015)