Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has warned organisers that one of the World Cup finalists could be decided by the toss of a coin if they stick to their plans of staging the second semi-final as a day-night match.

Waqar said on Thursday: "It has become obvious that, in the matches played under lights in this World Cup, teams winning the toss are getting an unfair advantage.

"I would say any team which wins the toss has won the match 75 per cent (of the time) and that is grossly unfair.

Waqar, whose side lost a day-night match to England in Cape Town on Saturday after losing the toss, added: "I think there is still time for the ICC and the World Cup organisers to hold both semi-finals as day affairs.

"I would support any move from other teams to have the ICC reconsider having the second semi-final in Durban as a day affair."

Pakistan suffered a shock 112-run defeat in Group A when England won the toss at Newlands. After making 246, Nasser Hussain's team skittled Pakistan for 134 as the ball began to swing under the evening lights.

It was England's first win in six games against Pakistan.

SIMILAR FATE

England then suffered a similar fate in Durban on Wednesday against India.

Losing the toss, they restricted India to 250 for nine before being routed for 168, left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra taking six for 23, at the time the third-best bowling figures in World Cup history.

England captain Hussain complimented India on bowling well for their victory, but added: "It (the ball) just seemed to zip off the wicket.

"Obviously it was our turn to be on the other side of the equation."

The second World Cup semi-final, to be played on March 20, is due to be staged in Durban as a day-nighter.

Several other significant Group B games -- Sri Lanka against West Indies in Cape Town on Friday and South Africa against Sri Lanka in Durban on Monday -- are also day-night matches.

Those games could decide if the hosts South Africa reach the second round.

EVENING CONDITIONS

Commentators believe evening conditions and dew can offer bowlers more seam and swing movement.

At some grounds, however, too much dew can make it harder for bowlers to grip the ball later in the game, thus favouring sides batting second. Changing winds can also affect conditions significantly.

Waqar added: "The World Cup is held only once every four years and there should be no match where the toss decides the result. Teams should have an equal chance of winning.

"I think the organisers and the ICC should have thought about this issue before finalising the itinerary.

"Batting second under lights is very difficult in South Africa. We were on the receiving end against England, who themselves were on the other side of the fence against India.

"The team bowling second under lights, for whatever reason, has got the advantage of the ball seaming and skidding around a lot.

"For the batsmen also, it gets difficult to spot the ball as it loses its colour, which are big factors in deciding the outcome of the game.