Abu Dhabi: Former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis has welcomed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to use the Decision Review System (DRS) on a ‘trial basis’ for India’s upcoming Test series against England.

Although India were involved in the initial trial of a review system, during a series with Sri Lanka eight years ago, the BCCI has since proven reluctant to embrace the same technology that has been widely used by other countries.

“It is better to have a review system than not have it at all. I think the Indian boys have realised that they have been hard done on several occasions without the DRS,” said Waqar, who is a commentator for the ongoing West Indies-Pakistan Test series.

Doubts over the reliability of DRS have regularly been expressed by the BCCI in the past but it looks like they are now satisfied that such concerns have been addressed with the improvements added to the system.

“Of course the system needs improvement but with BCCI coming on board and being in the same page as ICC there will be lot of change that we will see. In a few years we will see it becoming a permanent thing. It is like the pink ball which now people are reluctant but you see in three-four years every team will be ready for it,” added Waqar.

The players of India and England will now be able to review decisions during the five-Test series that begins in Rajkot on November 9.

In a media release, BCCI president Anurag Thakur said: “We are happy to note that Hawkeye has institutionalised all the recommendations made by BCCI, and we confirm that this improved version of DRS will be used on a trial basis during the forthcoming series against England and based on the performance of the system and the feedback that we will receive, further continuation in forthcoming series will be decided.

“We recognise the enhanced role of technology in sport and BCCI will lead such initiatives in coming days, and enrich the viewer experience.”

BCCI has also announced the schedule for India’s home Test series against Australia with the opening match in Pune from February 23 followed by Bengaluru, Ranchi and Dharamsala playing host to the remaining Tests in March.