Fourth ODI could not be postponed due to broadcast commitments: PCB
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ABU DHABI: Pakistan cricket officials decided to go ahead with Wednesday's fourth day-night international against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi despite calls to postpone it for a day after the carnage in Peshawar.
The Taliban attacks on an army-run school in Peshawar on Tuesday left 141 dead, 132 of them school children.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it cannot postpone the one-day international due to broadcast commitments.
“We tried our best to postpone the 4th ODI but were constrained by the broadcasters commitment as well as for cricketing reasons advised by the New Zealand management,” said a PCB release.
“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,” said PCB.
Pakistan have been were forced to play their home series on neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates following the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009.
The PCB said players will mourn the Peshawar tragedy.
“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 said the match gate money will go to the families of the dead and for the rebuilding of the school.
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On DawnNews
Comments (49) Closed
Dec 17, 2014 03:22pm
So it was prudent to suspend the Test match for one day on account of Phil Hughes death but when our children are mercilessly killed, broadcasters commitments matter more? Have you people no shame left?
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Dec 17, 2014 03:24pm
The team should not play today. The commitment of broadcasters is not the objective here.
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Dec 17, 2014 03:26pm
How shameful. Again Money wins over life.
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Dec 17, 2014 03:29pm
Why the match was postponed last month at Phill Hughes death??????????? ...you mean there was no broadcast commitment at the time...
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Dec 17, 2014 03:30pm
yeah you cant even imagine the pain. its business as usual for you
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Dec 17, 2014 03:31pm
It is very disappointing to see such a decision by PCB after the massacre of more than 150 innocent people including 140 young children.
I don't think any Pakistani will be able to see this match after such a tragic incident in Peshawar.
If match can be postponed for New Zealand because of the accidental death of one player, it is shame on PCB that they did not postpone today's match.
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Dec 17, 2014 03:35pm
Not good. Its all about money. The test match was postponed for on day against New Zealand why not this match?
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Dec 17, 2014 03:37pm
Shame on PCB!
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Dec 17, 2014 03:37pm
Come on ! as a indian my heart is pain with this tragedy, you can not change one match.
my thoughts are with those left behind families. who wants to watch cricket now ?
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Dec 17, 2014 03:50pm
well we all know PCB's lack of leadership but has surprised me is the lack of courage on part of the players. They should have individually refused to play today's game but no, that requires some courage and a sense of feeling the pain for your Pakistanis. Greed and lack of moral courage is what define their individual characters as well. Misbah and Waqar quoted Hughes'death as reason for their poor performance in 2nd test. Now, how could they be able to focus on the game less than 24 hours after 141 innocent Pakistanis were killed in the most barbaric terrorist attack?
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Dec 17, 2014 03:57pm
Shameful from PCB! If they could cancel the whole day for the accidental death of Australian cricketer, why can't they cancel a day for such a brutal attack on our future?? Shameful...
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Dec 17, 2014 03:57pm
PCB you keep your money. In fact, give the gate money to your broadcasters as it seems they need it the most.
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Dec 17, 2014 03:58pm
Shame on you pcb, Pakistan cricket team and icc
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Dec 17, 2014 03:59pm
If I were a Pakistani player, I would have excused myself from playing. I am sure NZ would have withdrawn if God forbid such a tragedy happened there.
PCB and we need to do soul-searching, that is if there is any soul.
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Dec 17, 2014 03:59pm
Pity the country whose wretched leadership cant take a stand over Ten Sports. What a flimsy reason for not cancelling the match. The nation is grieved and in shock and PCB is worried about broadcasting money. Pity this country with its wretched leadership
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Dec 17, 2014 04:01pm
India should use its Influence over ICC, and forcefully postpone this match. Let them suffer monitory loss.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:05pm
He and his reasonings examplify the kind of diplomats who serve the cause of Pakistan. Couldn't take a courageous and morally correct stand when needed to safeguard nation's self-respect. His only interest seems to be safeguarding his 6 figure salary and first class travels around the world for useless purposes.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:06pm
One Phil Hughes was worth more than 131 little innocent kids of Pakistan. PCB? Are you really the cricket board of "Pakistan"?
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Dec 17, 2014 04:07pm
Funny. They can not postpone the match because of broadcast committment. Who is going to watch a match with coffins all over the place. Flags at half mast. And mourning in the air. The PCB and the broadcast right owners bot show how inhuman they are. Besides it is extremely bad business decision even if one were to take a purely business view.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:08pm
A very Good decision to play today - we will NOT be beaten by terrorism.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:08pm
Australia cancelled a 5 day test match due to death of one fellow team player and we cannot cancel / postpone a single ODI match over such a huge national tragedy. Shame on us!
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Dec 17, 2014 04:11pm
why the day was postponed when Hughes dies. wasn't a commitment????
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Dec 17, 2014 04:26pm
How evil the broadcaster is? Nation should come above anything.
If Pakistan can't do it, then ask India. They have more power than us.
They can twist the broadcaster to postpone the match.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:27pm
@A Pakistani I completely agree with you. If match can be postponed for Phil Huges then it can definitely be postponed for this tragic reason. it seems life of a celebrity is more important than that of a common man...
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Dec 17, 2014 04:27pm
But the Test Match was delayed because of Phil Hughes... Not that his death wasnt tragic, but this is a national catastrophe. SHAME ON YOU
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Dec 17, 2014 04:30pm
This is what we need to defeat our enemy , tell them that look we are not defeat. You can not run our lives.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:35pm
what a shame, where were the broadcasters when NZ requested to postpone a day's play on Phil's death? PCB, show some courage!!!!
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Dec 17, 2014 04:46pm
Shame on PCB. Shahryar should be ashamed of himself.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:49pm
@Nikesh Das
this is not about a celebrity status but the origin I am afraid.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:53pm
shame on PCB and Cricket for not postponing this ODI ........... Philip Hughes was a recent example how living and conscious nations live ........ they postponed the test match although he died in the hospital due an injury on-field.
whereas, in Pakistan killing 130+ innocent kids, means those dead bodies are cheaper than the so called ' commercial commitment ' ............ ? PCB should have cancelled this match altogether and the final ODI if possible. Indra Gandhi was assassinated and Indian tour for Pakistan was called mid-way. what morals, ethics are you talking Mr Shahyar.... has our cricket board shown some sense and cancelled 4th ODI we should have been proud of you. through this very comment am pooling a small gesture of token and should not see the match in the respect of those who lost their lives, with whatsoever no reason at all and our cricket pundits are proceeding on with an insignificant match. can say more. be your own judge.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:53pm
One white man dies and everything stops for him. Over 140 children are slaughtered and we give them a 2 minutes silence. We have not ditched the slave mind-set yet!
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Dec 17, 2014 04:56pm
What a lame excuse. shame on you Mr. Chairman of PCB. You think Pakistani people would be so senseless that they would be enjoying the game.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:57pm
What a lame excuse. shame on you Mr. Chairman of PCB. You think Pakistani people would be so senseless that they would be enjoying the game.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:59pm
How heartless and spineless pcb, icc and the broadcasters can become? Its a shame for the humanity
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Dec 17, 2014 05:35pm
Very shameful. Sad that broadcast commitments outweighs national tragedies in Pakistan.
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Dec 17, 2014 06:00pm
Difference between white blood and brow blood.
2 days ago 2 Australians were killed in Sydney and in my language class in Germany we spoke about 10 minutes while on the same day about 140 children were killed and hardly anyone knew. I was greatly moved by this cold behavior of West but I was somehow convinced that part of the blame for this also share by us.
Today I have come to know why no one knew about Peshawar tragedy. Pakistan postponed the test for one day on Philip Hughes but may be the blood of 140 children is of no worth when it comes to comparing it with the blood of Philip Hughes. Even the murderers in this case crossed limits of brutality.
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Dec 17, 2014 06:03pm
I will never watch this cricket team - headed by heartless people - playing again.
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Dec 17, 2014 06:20pm
Boycott PCB !!
Not watching your match.
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Dec 17, 2014 06:22pm
Unbelievable PCB, simply unbelievable is your narrowness.
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Dec 17, 2014 07:13pm
I really don't understand what message we have given to world, if this tragedy and barbaric event happened in west I think they will suspend not only one match all series, whereas our PCB has got excused for media commitment, the PCB decision is very disappointing, It is legitimate to ask from PCB chairman that if your love one die would you still watch cricket or will be ground to support our team ?
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Dec 17, 2014 08:15pm
simply disgusting!
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Dec 17, 2014 08:26pm
Non-sense and shameless at its best...
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Dec 17, 2014 08:32pm
Life must go on. The children who died would have been watching the game. Don't let cowards alter our lives.
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Dec 18, 2014 12:31am
i am really sorry All Brothers that you have wasted your costly Time in this Nonsense act of PCB as you know The money is every thing not only for PCB but also for ICC so shame on PCB chairman you are not powerful that you can make a strong decision , you do not trust yourself that if i make a decision will all PCB Staff take stand on that decision ..... i have no words for PCB Chairman ....
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Dec 18, 2014 12:34am
Shame on PCB. Thier are just no men left in Pakistan. For one Aussie the whole world mourns but so many Pakistani innocent kids are dead our PCB is scared of commitment.
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Dec 18, 2014 05:12am
I wonder if the team management had placed a bet.
Australian can cancel its match with India due to a tragic death of a player. That match had far greater commercial pull than Pak vs NZ match. Shame on Pakistan cricket management and the broadcasters. You've collectively let the nation down. Hope you all can sleep well.
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Dec 18, 2014 05:34am
No offence to Phil Hughes as he was a human as well when he lost the battle of life, but what about 140+ people they were also loved by their families, friends etc. We cannot and will not overcome the menace of terrorism until and unless we get rid of the mindset to treat all human beings the same. Hope the viewers of this news item agree with me.
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Dec 18, 2014 09:05am
@Razi I'm not defending PCB, but to play devils advocate maybe the scenario is different when you are playing on your home ground. Part of the proceeding from broadcast rights probably go to parties other than PCB and the NZ board, and they might have strong armed them. Have to keep in might there aren't too many favourable venues where PCB can have "home" matches.
That said, yes they should not have gone ahead with the match. maybe forfeit it if it wasn't postponed
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Dec 19, 2014 02:42am
This is a game. This is a game. Make a statement of support. Show unity for your country. What is the point of this ODI. How can you imagine playing. Why did not players boycott this match or employee withdraw their services. Having a good time in UAE? This typical Pakistani when they go abroad. Nothing changes. Poor mentality and why Pakistan is a laughing stock. This primary reason why Pakistanis are not taken seriously and will always cave in. No strength of inside but artificial words of solace. The world has move on to leave Pakistan in its wake.
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