WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) The Pakistan cricket team is safe and well after being shaken awake Monday by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake which struck New Zealand, killing two and causing extensive damage.
Pakistan team spokesman Shahid Aslam said the earthquake, which struck shortly after midnight, was ''scary'' but players were ''fine.'' They will leave on schedule for Christchurch where the test against New Zealand begins on Thursday.
Christchurch is close to the epicenter of the earthquake but Aslam said the team, currently in Nelson, is ''flying to Christchurch as planned. All is good, we are all safe.'' He said the team would follow any further advice from Cricket New Zealand.
Pakistan will go into the test without match preparation after a three day warm-up game was rained out without a ball being bowled.
