Cricket: Fourth ODI to go ahead

Shahid Afridi celebrates the wicket of Luke Ronchi during the third match. Photo / Getty

New Zealand's fourth ODI against Pakistan will go ahead in Abu Dhabi tonight - despite the school massacre in Peshawar.

The decision that the match would proceed came through minutes ago, after thoughts that it might be postponed, or called off, as a mark of respect for the slaughter of over 140 children and teachers at the school by the Taliban.

Pakistan lead the five-game series 2-1 but it is clear minds are elsewhere ahead of tonight's game.

Champion Pakistan batsman Younis Khan, who hails from nearby Mardan, around 45 minutes drive from Peshawar, had raised the idea that the game should not proceed in deference to the horror attack.

However his view clearly fell on deaf ears as pragmatism ruled for the Pakistan Cricket Board, who must answer to sponsors and broadcasters.

"It is a national tragedy and a barbaric act," 96-test veteran Younis said. "Playing the match is going to be very difficult. How do you play a match when your spirit is not in the game?"

It is likely options were at least canvassed, including postponing the game a day; scrubbing it altogether; or cancelling the last two matches and look at ways to reschedule it next year at a convenient point for both teams.

New Zealand Cricket had made it clear it would follow the Pakistan board's lead.

In a statement earlier in the day, NZC chief executive David White said that while everyone at the organisation was shocked by events in Peshawar, "our hearts go out to those affected as well as the Pakistan team and cricket family.

"We await to hear from Pakistan on a desired course of action...and we will be guided by what they feel is appropriate."

It is the bloodiest massacre Pakistan has seen in years. The Pakistanis have not hosted international cricket since the terror attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore in March, 2009.

However Kenya are currently playing a five-game one-day series against Pakistan A at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

Yesterday's events are unlikely to do anything but harden the cricket community's reluctance to return to Pakistan hosting top flight cricket any time soon.