5 exceptional performances in pink Tests that you should know about

With just a few more hours left for the historic day-night Test between India and Bangladesh, the cricketing fraternity in the nation has been painted pink. As the Indian spectators settle in to watch their favourite cricketers test new waters at the Eden Gardens, we bring you five special performances that have marked the pink Tests played so far.

#1 Azhar Ali- 302* vs West Indies, Dubai

With 456 runs to his credit, Pakistan's Azhar Ali stands as the highest run-getter in pink Tests. Interestingly, as several cricket enthusiasts would know, 302 of those runs came in a single knock!

Ali's dream knock came against West Indies on a flat surface in Dubai in October 2016. Achieving the feat in the only second day-night Test in international cricket, the Pakistani cricketer broke several records in the course of his innings. The 469-ball marathon innings comprised of 23 boundaries as 2 sixes as the right-handed batsmen helmed Pakistan's superlative batting effort in the first innings. The score still merits Ali for being the highest run-maker in a single innings of a pink ball Test.

#2 Asad Shafiq-137 vs Australia, Brisbane

Asad Shafiq's heroic knock at the Gabba in 2016 is unlikely to be forgotten soon by any of the Pakistani fans.

Chasing a might target of 489 for victory in the fourth innings, the talented right-hander joined hands with the tailenders to ignite hopes of a miraculous win. Slamming a stunning 137, off 207 balls, Shafiq left Steve Smith and Co scratching their heads for quite some time on the fifth day of the Test match. While his superlative effort might have fallen short in taking Pakistan home, it is likely to go down as one of the more memorable knocks in a day night Test.

​#3 Alastair Cook- 243 vs West Indies, Birmingham

Alastair Cook's majestic double hundred lit up the first pink ball Test on English soil. Battered at the receiving once again were the hapless Windies.

The former English skipper reigned supreme at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground as he took piled the agony for the West Indies bowlers along his merry way. Scripting a glorious 243 of 407 deliveries including 33 boundaries, Cook formed special scenes to make the Test memorable ones for the English fans. Adding to the delight, the knock proved instrumental in helping England thrash the visitors by an innings and 209 runs.

#4 Devendra Bishoo- 8/49 vs Pakistan, Dubai

Windies leg-spinner owned the Pakistani batting line-up in the third innings of the pink Test between the sides at Dubai.

With their backs to the wall in the game, the visitors were revived by Bishoo's stunning spell that saw him account for eight of the Pakistani players. Picking 8/49, the he registered the best figures for a West Indies leg spinner in a Test match. While Bishoo's craft managed to put the brakes on Pakistan from building their lead, it couldn't quite help the Windies pull off a heist.

#5 Pat Cummins-6/23 vs Sri Lanka, Brisbane

A fiery spell by Pat Cummins had left Sri Lanka reeling at the Gabba earlier this year. Australia's speedgun functioned in top gear as he ran through the Lankan line-up in a canter to hand a memorable victory for his team.

While his first innings effort of 4/39 stood as a fine example of searing pace bowling, his spell in the second innings made for a sight to behold. Making the opposition's batsmen dance to his tunes, Cummins rattled Sri Lanka with his career best figures of 6/23.