PESHAWAR: As the country mourned the unforgettable loss of 150 lives on the one-month mark a day earlier, the Pakistan cricket team arrived in Peshawar to visit Army Public School (APS) students who are still under treatment at Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

The team, which is scheduled to leave for the 2015 World Cup in Australia on Jan 21, showed solidarity with the victims of the deadly attack, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) posting pictures of the visit on Twitter.

Misbah-ul-Haq:

“It was a great feeling. The kids gave us tremendous courage and wished the best for us in the coming World Cup. The best part is that these kids have rejoined the school and their spirit is an encouraging sign for the players, which is to never give up, whatever you do. And with this motivation, we will try to win the World Cup.”

Shahid Afridi:

“We are hugely motivated by these kids. I asked one kid how he survived after being shot in the chest and he replied that his chest is not weak. We want to show the same courage in the World Cup and win the event for our nation and for our people and kids like these.”

Team manager Naveed Akram Cheema:

“Those were touching scenes. The faces of kids were glowing at the sight of the players, and parents of those who died want us to win the World Cup for their dear ones. Players have promised that they will do their best for the Peshawar victims.”

The cricketers led by Captain Misbah-ul-Haq were Shahid Afridi, Yasir Shah, Umer Akmal, Muhammad Irfan, Ahsan Adeel, Ahmed Shahzad, along with Manager Naveed Akram Cheema and Assistant Coach Shahid Aslam.

The team inquired about the health of injured students still admitted at the hospital and expressed their condolences with family members of the victims who lose their lives in the attack.

The PCB also donated Rs7.5 million, which were received from the fourth ODI against New Zealand, to the Army Public School Today.