Pakistan and New Zealand dedicated the trophy for their two Twenty20 matches in the Dubai starting on Thursday in memory of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes who died last week.
Hughes died last Thursday, two days after being hit by a bouncer in a first class match in Sydney, leaving the cricketing world to mourn his death.
Hughes’s funeral was held early Wednesday, as Pakistan and New Zealand prepare for the shortest format of the game after drawing a preceding Test series 1-1.
Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi said Hughes’s tragic death has left the cricketing world in a shock.
“Hughes died very young and his tragic death has left everyone shocked,” said Afridi on Wednesday.
“We are thankful to the sponsors who have decided to dedicate the trophy in memory of Hughes as a mark of respect,” said Afridi.
Pakistan are boosted by the return of paceman Umar Gul, who has not played international cricket since April due to a knee problem.
Gul is the second highest wicket-taker in Twenty20 with 80 in 56 games, five behind Ajmal’s 85.
Pakistan will hope their pace attack, which also includes the lanky 7ft, 1 inch (2.1m) Mohammad Irfan supplement the bowling attack which has spinners in Raza Hasan and Shahid Afridi.
