Pakistan vs NZ test: second day’s play abandoned after Australian batsman Phil Hughes dies
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates _ The second day’s play in the third and final test between Pakistan and New Zealand has been abandoned on news of the tragic death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes on Thursday.
The decision was taken by the officials of both Pakistan Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket after the news that 25-year-old Hughes died on Thursday, two days after being struck in the head by a cricket ball during a domestic first-class match.
“It’s a sad day for cricket,” PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said in a statement.
“Pakistan’s cricketing fraternity is saddened by Hughes’ passing away, all our thoughts and prayers are with Phil and his family.”
Hughes was part of the Australian team that thrashed Pakistan 3-0 in the one-day series in the United Arab Emirates last month.
Pakistan team manager and chief selector Moin Khan said the whole team “is shocked and saddened” with the tragic death of Hughes.
“He (Hughes) was here with the Australian limited-overs squad and was very cheerful,” Khan said.
Play will now resume on Friday _ to be considered as the second day’s play _ and both the cricket boards decided to extend the test match.
The International Cricket Council endorsed the decision to abandon the test match for a day.
“As a mark of respect, both sides have decided to treat the second day as a rest day and extend the Sharjah test to December 1, which will be the final day of the three-test series,” the ICC said.
NZC chief executive David White extended his deepest sympathy to the family of Hughes.
“Cricket is a family,” White said in a statement.
“Quite apart from its super-competitive edge, it is a game of kinship, mateship and friendship; of camaraderie and community.”
Pakistan scored a strong 281-3 with opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez unbeaten on 178 and captain Misbah-ul-Haq not out on 38.
Pakistan leads the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first test by 248 runs and forcing out a draw last week.