Abu Dhabi: The atmosphere at the Shaikh Zayed Stadium was sombre but the spirits were high.
Pakistan, reeling under the national tragedy of the gruesome massacre at a Peshawar school that killed more than 130 children, went down fighting against New Zealand in the fourth One Day International.
Warhorse Younis Khan made a strong claim to be on the flight for the World Cup with an impressive century (103), while stand-in skipper Shahid Afridi scored a quick-fire 49 to keep their side in the game but it wasn’t enough to see them home.
Pakistan, who had won the third ODI authoritatively by 147-runs, managed to reach 292 for 8 and lost by just seven runs after Kiwis, riding on captain Kane Williamson’s century knock of 123, set them a daunting total of 300 to win. The five-match series is now set for a thrilling finish on Friday, tied at 2-2.
Though there were calls to call-off the fourth ODI, but Pakistan, led by Afridi, decided to go ahead with the contest. Both teams observed a two-minute silence for the victims of the horror attack as the Kiwis elected to bat facing a must-win situation to keep the series alive.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had decided to postpone Wednesday’s Malala Cup final match scheduled to take place in Muridke, back home. They also pushed back the 4th ODI between Pakistan ‘A’ and Kenya, scheduled for Thursday, by a day.
But according to the PCB, broadcasting commitments with Ten Sports forced them to go ahead with the New Zealand match. “We tried our best to postpone the 4th ODI but were constrained by the broadcasters commitment as well as for cricketing reasons advised by New Zealand management,” said a PCB spokesman.
“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 the flags will be lowered.”
The PCB will donate proceeds of the match to the families of the dead and towards rebuilding the school.
New Zealand also expressed sympathy but left the onus on PCB to take the call on the match saying. David White, Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, said: “We are waiting to hear from Pakistan as to their desired course of action for the match and will be guided by what they feel is appropriate,”
From ball one, it was clear that the Pakistan team had dragged themselves on to the field and were not in the right frame of mind but they showed a lot of courage in the run chase.
“That was a big tragedy, especially for the families of the victims. We are playing for them. We are all trying to back each and everyone. Our prayers are with the family,” said Afridi before the match.
Even the Pakistan media, who, are here in strong numbers, were of the view that the match should not have gone ahead. Some suggested if the Australia versus India first Test could be postponed to show solidarity following Phil Hughes’ unfortunate death, then this game should certainly have been deferred following what was a barbaric act.
Earlier, Williamson’s 123 off 105 balls saw New Zealand reach a mammoth 299 for 5.
Openers Martin Guptill (58) and Dean Brownlie (42) also provided the springboard with a vital opening stand of 81.
Williamson was out from the last ball of the innings in a knock studded by 12 fours.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Irfan was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 53. Sohail Tanvir, Anwar Ali and Afridi claimed a wicket apiece.
