Day 2 of Sharjah Test suspended as ‘today isn’t about cricket, it’s about Phil Hughes’

The Pakistan Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket agreed to delay the start of play and will decide the future course of action.

Pakistan batsman Mohammed Hafeez, centre, was unbeaten on 178 after end of Day 1's play in Sharjah. Aamir Qureshi / AFP

SHARJAH // A little under two months ago, Phil Hughes and Sean Abbott made their Twenty20 international debuts alongside each other in front of a 25,000 sell out crowd in Dubai.

Hughes already had plenty of experience of playing for Australia. It was a first for Abbott.

Either way, it was a joyous time, which culminated in a win over Pakistan.

The scene at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday morning was a world away from that night.

A low-key Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand was suddenly enveloped by shock and sorrow over the news which had arrived from Sydney.

Instead of heading out to start Day 2, the players sat in their respective changing rooms, digesting the fact that someone had died playing the sport they are paid to play.

Meanwhile, officials discussed how to proceed with the fixture, while the handful of spectators who had come to the ground asked through the railings for information.

Chaudhry Abdul Jalil, the former Abu Dhabi resident who is more famously known as “Chacha Cricket”, the mascot of Pakistan cricket, sat morose and uncharacteristically alone in the front row. There was no party to start here.

At 10.30am, the writing on the bigscreen next to the main scoreboard informing spectators the start of play had been suspended for an hour was removed.

In its place was a large image of a smiling Hughes, dressed proudly in his Australia Test shirt from the series against Pakistan.

The picture alternated with the words: “Sharjah cricket deeply mourns the untimely demise of Australian cricketer Mr Phillip Hughes. RIP.”

Soon after, it was confirmed both teams, whose players were said to be deeply shocked by the news, had agreed to abandon the day’s play entirely.

The ICC soon released a statement saying the sides would be back here on Friday, with the game being extended by a day.

“As a mark of respect, both sides have decided to treat the second day as a rest day and extend the Sharjah Test to December 1,” the statement read.

Mike Hesson, the coach, spoke for his side in a statement issued later by New Zealand Cricket.

“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.”

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