World Cup inspiration

Pakistan cricketers on Saturday met survivors of last month's horrific Taliban school massacre, with captain Misbahul Haq saying the brave youngsters had inspired his team to win the World Cup.

Along with Misbah, popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad, Ehsan Adil, Yasir Shah and Mohammad Irfan visited the army-run school in Peshawar where 150 people, most of them children, lost their lives on December 16.

Misbah said meeting with students who survived the attack -- the deadliest in Pakistan's history -- had given the cricketers enormous courage ahead of next month's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

"It was a great feeling," Misbah told AFP. "The kids gave us tremendous courage and wished the best for us in the coming World Cup."

He added: "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."

Misbah said the children had promised to watch the World Cup, which starts on February 14, and to pray for a Pakistani victory.

Afridi said the students had taught the players that "the one who saves is greater than those who tries to kill".

"We are hugely motivated by these kids," Afridi told AFP. "I asked one kid how he survived after being shot in the chest and he replied that his chest is not weak.