Proceeds will go to families of murdered children in Peshawar
The fourth ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand to be played in Abu Dhabi will continue as planned despite attempts to postpone the game by the PCB. There were doubts that the match would be played as scheduled following the terrorist attack on a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar on Tuesday, which has left the country in mourning following the murder of 140 people, the majority of whom were children.
However, the PCB has pushed back Pakistan’s game against Kenya in Lahore from December 18 to 19 as well as postponing the women’s championship final.
All proceeds from the upcoming Abu Dhabi ODI will be donated by the PCB to the families of the students killed in the terrorist attack as well as being dedicated to assisting the rebuild of the school.
A PCB spokesperson said: “We tried our best to postpone the fourth ODI but were constrained by the broadcaster’s commitment as well as for cricketing reasons advised by New Zealand management.
“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 observe a minute’s silence and flags will be lowered.
“The PCB will donate proceeds of the match to the families of the martyred and towards rebuilding the school.”
Pakistan’s stand-in captain, Shahid Afridi said on Tuesday that the tragedy had left the country’s team in shock.
“It’s sad what’s happened in Peshawar,” he said. “Our prayers are with the families who have lost their kids. I hope the situation will get better in Pakistan and we live in a secure atmosphere.
“Whether we are in Pakistan or away, it affects us. Ever since we heard this news we were saying that it should not have happened. We hope the situation gets better, we hope that all those who have the responsibility will improve the situation.”
