KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced that the proceeds of the 4th One-Day International (ODI) between Pakistan and New Zealand will be donated to the families of the children who were martyred in Peshawar.
Further, the proceeds will also be used to rebuild the school.
The fourth ODI to be played between Pakistan and New Zealand will go ahead as per schedule despite the PCB wanting it to be postponed after a deadly terrorist attack in Peshawar.
"We tried our best to postpone the 4th ODI, but we were constrained by the broadcasters’ commitment as well as for cricketing reasons advised by the New Zealand management,” the PCB spokesperson explained.
"We are playing outside Pakistan only because of the threat of terrorism at home. If we allow terrorists to disrupt our matches abroad, then all will be lost. So we have decided to go ahead with the match, and our players will wear black armbands in grief and will also observe a minute's silence and flags will be lowered.”
To demonstrate solidarity in view of the enormous tragedy that has befallen the nation, the PCB has decided to postpone today’s Malala Cup final match scheduled at Muridke. The PCB has also postponed the 4th One day match between Pakistan A and Kenya team scheduled for December 18. The fourth ODI will now be played on December 19.
Pakistan in no mood to play after killing spree: Younus
Batsman Younus Khan says it will be extremely tough for the cricketers to go ahead with Wednesday's fourth one-dayer against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi following the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar.
Witnesses said at least 132 students and nine staff members died on Tuesday when Taliban gunmen broke into a school and opened fire in the bloodiest massacre Pakistan had seen for years.
"It is a national tragedy and a barbaric act. Playing the match is going to be very difficult," Younus told a private sports channel.
"How do you play a match when your spirit is not in the game? That is our state of mind right now."
Younus, who has featured in 96 tests and 257 one-dayers for Pakistan, compared the situation to the one Australia experienced last month when opening batsman Phillip Hughes died after being struck on the head by a bouncer.
"When Phil Hughes died it shocked every one of us and we postponed a day's play in the test match against New Zealand," he added.
"It would not be a bad idea to postpone this game as well," said 37-year-old Younus.
The players are to observe a minute's silence before Wednesday's match and will wear black armbands.
"Our minds and hearts are with these children," said team manager Moin Khan.
COMMENTS (6)
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Australia abandoned Test Match after the tragic death of an individual and here we are a nation in mourning and PCB did not have the guts to end the series. The affected families are not interested in compensation this is height of insensitivity shown by our government.
This match should have been postponed. It would be unfair to expect the Pakistani players to put everything into it.
I remember how we felt after Mumbai 2008. Playing cricket the next day is stupid. PCB has done the wrong thing.
Very shamful by PCB and players. One australian cricket died by accident and we cancelled the whole day and our future has been brutally murdered and no cancellation? I for one am boycotting this stupid match and series.
Shame on PCB and its chairman for not postponing the match. the nation is grieved and you are worried about broadcasting money paid to Ten Sports. This is the state of the mind of the leaders of this wretched country
Pakistani nation should boycott this match. Shame on PCB. I request all channels as well not to air this match nor give any details of it.
If a match can be postponed over Philip, then why not for 132 children of this nation.
I as a patriot Pakistani, I boycott this match.
Shame on PCB! The proceeds could have still been donated if the match was held a different day. PCB should have stood up to all the stakeholders who wanted the match to go ahead today.