Neither side emerged from their dressing rooms during the initial delay of an hour while officials discussed their response to the death of the Australian cricketer struck on the head by a bouncer playing for South Australia against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
The rawness of the news and numbness of the reaction meant treating the day as a rest day was the only appropriate course of action.
Any cricket would have seemed inconsequential.
The ground was left empty shortly afterwards with only the flutter of flags and the hum of distant traffic breaking what seemed a poignant silence.
Play will resume tomorrow with Pakistan 281 for three. An extra day will be added on Monday.
No New Zealand players were available for comment but Ross Taylor and Jimmy Neesham tweeted their condolences.
"RIP Phil Hughes. Gone too soon. Thoughts and Prayers are with you and the family.
Shocked," wrote Taylor, while Neesham said: "I've never before felt so keenly the loss of someone I'd never met. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Phil Hughes."
Shortly after leaving the ground New Zealand coach Mike Hesson released a media statement saying the entire cricket community was reeling.
"Today isn't about cricket, it's about Phil," Hesson said.
"Like the rest of the cricketing family, the Black Caps players and management are devastated to hear about Phil's tragic passing. It's an unthinkable loss and I can tell you it's an incredibly sombre dressing room right now."
"To those who were close to Phillip, we extend our deepest sympathies. Our thoughts are with you during this extremely difficult time."
In another statement, New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said: "Cricket is a family. Quite apart from its super-competitive edge, it is a game of kinship, mateship and friendship; of camaraderie and community.
"To lose one of our own in such tragic circumstances is unthinkable, and our thoughts are with those who are close to Phillip; who know him, or have simply enjoyed the wonderful brand of cricket he brought to the game.
"To those people, and all others who share in his loss, may I pass on our heartfelt condolences."
The 25-year-old underwent emergency surgery to reduce pressure on his brain and remained in an induced coma in intensive care.
Cricket Australia confirmed the former test batsman died in St Vincent's Hospital yesterday afternoon.
Andrew Alderson travelled to the UAE courtesy of Emirates
READ MORE
• Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes dies
• NZ Cricket saddened by death of Hughes
