Pakistan's World Cup team to visit terror-hit Peshawar school

Karachi, Jan 17: Members of the World Cup bound Pakistan cricket squad will visit the terror stricken Army Public School in Peshawar on Saturday, a month after terrorists attacked and killed around 135 students in the institution.

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A source in the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed to PTI that the team was also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday after visiting the Army Public School.

"Cricket is a big thing in Pakistan and majority of the students all over the country passionately follow and play the sport and idolise top players. So the failure of the team to visit the school until now has raised eyebrows in the cricket community," the source said.

He said members of the team would not only visit the school and meet with the children there but also go to the graveyard to offer prayers for the departed souls with their families.

"Heavy security is going to be provided to the players for the visit which is seen as a big statement from them against terrorism and terrorists," the source said.

He said plans to arrange a meeting between cricketer turned politician Imran Khan and the players at the former's official residence in Bani Gali in Islamabad was still not finalised due to the tight schedule of the former captain.

"But the main interest of the players is to be with the survivors of the terrorist attack in the APS," the source said.

The Pakistan squad which includes 15 players and some 10 officials is due to leave for New Zealand on January 20 from Lahore.

PTI