David Leggat: This was a game that should not have been played

Pakistani batsman Haris Sohail leaves the ground after his dismissal during the fourth day-night international match between Pakistan and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

Opinion

Sport was the secondary consideration in the fourth ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand in Abu Dhabi today.

This was a game that should not have been played.

Pakistani players' hearts and minds were clearly elsewhere at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi in the wake of the Peshawar school horror, where over 140 children and teachers were massacred by the Taliban two days ago.

And a Pakistani Cricket Board spokesman obliquely hinted New Zealand Cricket had wanted the game to proceed, although NZC had said yesterday it would be guided by the wishes of Pakistan officials.

The main responsibility for playing the game was sheeted back to broadcasters for whom there was business to attend to, and deals fulfilled.

''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," the spokesperson said.

''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."

Pakistan lasted hosted top flight international cricket when Sri Lanka visited in 2009, a trip cut short by a terror attack on the tourists' team bus in Lahore.

Pakistan A's game against Kenya in Lahore was put back 24 hours, as was its women's championship final.

Proceeds from today's game will be donated to the families of the 132 children killed in Peshawar and rebuilding their school.

Players wore black armbands and observed two minutes silence before the start of play.

''There's a sombre mood here,'' commentator and former New Zealand bowler Danny Morrison said after his interview with captain Shahid Afridi at the toss. Afridii's body language spoke volumes. This was not what he wanted to be doing today.

In the sparse crowd a sign was held up: ''May Allah rest their souls in peace.''

Some Pakistani players, notably opener Ahmed Shehzad and veteran batsman Younis Khan were clearly emotional, while tall seamer Mohammed Irfan's lips were constantly moving, perhaps in prayer.

''It's sad what's happened in Peshawar," Afridi said before the game.

''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."

The poor Pakistani fielding during New Zealand's first innings 299 for five suggested the players' minds were understandably not locked on the job. Try as Afridi did to urge his players to higher standards, it largely proved beyond him.

There were no significant celebrations at the fall of New Zealand wickets. The usually ebullient Afridi eschewed his trademark arms and feet spread wide at the taking of his one wicket.

Not for the first time on this tour, the cricket has played second fiddle to tragic events elsewhere in the world.

The third test in Sharjah, which New Zealand won so convincingly to square the three-match series, was played out to a backdrop of the death of Australian player Phillip Hughes, struck by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game in Sydney.

That was a tough experience for the New Zealand players, several of whom knew Hughes well, just as today's match was for Pakistan - perhaps more so as this attack happened within their borders.