PSL players, match officials wear black armbands in show of support for NZ terror attack victims
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday expressed shock and grief over the terror attacks on New Zealand's Christchurch mosques ahead of Friday prayers and announced that all players and match officials shall sport black armbands in the Pakistan Super League fixture today in a show of support for affected families.
A minute of silence was also observed prior to the start of the match.
“As a mark of respect for the victims and to show support and solidarity with the New Zealand community and the NZC [New Zealand Cricket Team], it has been decided that we will observe a minute’s silence before the start of tonight’s HBL Pakistan Super League match, while all the players and match officials will wear black armbands,” said a statement issued by the PCB.
PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, in the statement, said: “On behalf of the Pakistan cricket fraternity, I would like to condemn in the strongest possible way the cowardly, uncivilised and inhuman terrorist attacks on the innocent worshippers in Christchurch mosques.
“Our hearts go out [to] all those affected by this tragedy as who will feel and understand their pain and loss better than us. In these difficult times, we also stand firmly with our colleagues in New Zealand Cricket and offer our deepest condolences.
The PCB chairman also expressed relief that the Bangladesh cricket team escaped the incident unharmed.
“We are also aware that the Bangladesh men’s cricket team were also praying at a mosque near the Hagley Park. We thank God Almighty that all of them escaped unhurt," he said.
Comments (25) Closed
Hope you took permission from ICC.
The cricket board should look into this ASAP
That's the civilized, mature and educated way of showing support for the terror attack victims and their dejected families, for which, no permission from anybody including ICC is required.
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, I am sure the Pakistani team and cricket authorities will feel better knowing they have your approval, concurrence and blessings for their actions
We all support victims.. cricket supports them too.
Respect...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
@Pak_UK, no.you have to support only in the way pakistan supports.
You took permission I hope
We Pakistanis express solidarity with victims of terror in New Zealand and its entire nation. It's an extremely sad day for the peace loving people of New Zealand. In this darkest day of New Zealand, Pakistan stands with New Zealand.
Do not politicize Cricket.
An absolutely brilliant gesture by PCB. Instead of showboating, they paid their respects like mature sports governing bodies like Premier League and UEFA do.
Cricket is entertainment, it has nothing do with politics, that too in the other corner of the world - no matter how tragic it was. On daily basis humanity is bleeding in one place or the other..
Do not mix cricket with politics.
How Ironic! Best wishes for the remainder of the tournament
If such a thing had happened in Pakistan, cricket teams would refuse to play cricket in Pakistan. Should we now brand New Zealand as a dangerous place to travel and have all cricketing nations boycott the Island ???? ………. DOUBLE STANDARDS
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, Wish that the PSL teams would have also expressed similar sentiments after Pulwama attacks. Condemning terrorist attacks in one country and remaining silent on attacks in another speaks of duplicity.
Aboslutely Good Behaviour by pakistan . This should apply to all terror Victims . Now you understand Indian Team fund raising for Terror Victims after Pulwama . Now Please share your one day Match Fee and one day PSL revenue to support families of victims .
@ashok, What you do with army cap? Indian team.
@Prateik, That's the civilized, mature and educated way of showing support for the terror attack victims and their dejected families, for which, no permission from anybody including ICC is required. Maturity level in Pakistan is way ahead of indians
These Indian trolls that comment here are so not like the Indian people I meet. Shame on you!
Yes that was right thing to do. They should also do for our Kashmiris brothers and sisters who live in IOC and are being martyred every day for demanding right of self determination. The final of the PSL would be right match for it.
@Vineet, @VInay We feel same about Kashmiri people living in Indian Occupied Kashmir who are victims of the Indian state terrorism every day. I hope PCB asks both the teams playing the PSL final on Sunday to wear black armbands to show their support to Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
@Prateik, ignorance at its best, these were for the victims and not for the some country's army.
@Prateik, army was humiliated by pak air force then the cricket team lost wearing army caps but look at the bright side you can always correct it in a bollywood movie
@insaafian, they are paid bjp trolls, ignore them, most of Indians are sane and peaceful loving