WELLINGTON: New Zealand and Indian cricketers donned black armbands during their limited-overs international Tuesday as a mark of respect for the victims of an attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan.

The Indian and New Zealand teams had already begun the match in Napier when news of the shootings in Lahore was conveyed to players. Many of the Indian players were contacted by phone or via text messages to inform of them of the incident.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said the New Zealand and India teams had immediately decided to wear black armbands as a mark of respect to those who died in the attack.

``I think we are shocked as everyone is tonight,'' Vaughan said. ``I think because it is the first time a cricket team has been the target of terrorist activity there is a whole new scale of shock.