Pakistan-NZ fourth ODI could not be deferred despite PCB’s all-out efforts
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LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar M. Khan has said ICC, broadcasters and
New Zealand cricket team did not agree with the PCB, despite its all out efforts, to get the fourth One-day International in the UAE postponed for a day due to the Peshawar incident.
Talking with Dawn, Shaharyar said the PCB had started negotiations with all the three stakeholders on Wednesday morning to defer the match for a day but they had their own views.
“We want to play the fourth match on Thursday and the last match on Friday, but New Zealanders were not ready to play back-to-back matches, saying their entire schedule will be disturbed. The ICC and the broadcasters had the same problem,” the chairman said.
“The PCB remained in touch with the ICC but it wanted us to follow the schedule, otherwise they had to change several things abruptly,” Shaharyar said.
He said the PCB has however postponed the fourth match between Pakistan ‘A’ and Kenya, which will now be played on Friday instead of Thursday.
Shaharyar added that the final of the first Malala Yousufzai tournament, which he had to attend as a chief guest at the Muridke Academy on Wednesday, had also been deferred.
The PCB chief said the proceeds of the four ODI will be donated to the families of martyred children and towards rebuilding their school.
Shaharyar said the two teams had agreed to wear black armbands, observe one minute’s silence before start of the match and lower their flags.
To a question, he said Pakistan cricketers were advised to play to their true potential to win the match.
It may be mentioned here that Australia and India had postponed the first Test of their current series on the accidently death of Phil Hughes. The second day of Pakistan and New Zealand Test had also been suspended on the same accident on the latter’s desire though Pakistan had been insisting to play with black armbands.
Meanwhile, the PCB issued a press release and expressed deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones.
Published in Dawn December 18th , 2014
