Pakistan in no mood to play after Peshawar attack: Younis

Witnesses said at least 132 students and nine staff members died on Tuesday when Taliban gunmen broke into a school and opened fire in the bloodiest massacre Pakistan had seen for years.

“It is a national tragedy and a barbaric act. Playing the match is going to be very difficult,” Younis told a local television in Pakistan.

“How do you play a match when your spirit is not in the game? That is our state of mind right now.”

Younis, who has featured in 96 tests and 257 one-dayers for his country, compared the situation to the one Australia experienced last month when opening batsman Phillip Hughes died after being struck on the head by a bouncer.

“When Phil Hughes died it shocked every one of us and we postponed a day’s play in the test match against New Zealand,” he added.

“It would not be a bad idea to postpone this game as well,” said the 37-year-old Younis.

The players are to observe a minute’s silence before Wednesday’s match and will wear black armbands.

“Our minds and hearts are with these children,” said Pakistan team manager Moin Khan- Reuters