Friday 24 October is World Polio Day, when the world pauses to remember those who live their lives paralyzed by polio, honour the brave vaccinators who in many cases risk their lives to deliver the vaccine in conflict-affected areas, and call upon all parents to vaccinate their children against polio every time it is offered. Some players have pledged to wear white wristbands on Friday to honour the day.

Pakistan captain Misbah ul-Haq told a press conference prior to the first Test that it was unacceptable that Pakistan was one of only 3 countries where polio had not been stopped, and called on all parents to vaccinate their children against polio. “We need to be polio-free in Pakistan but a lot of children still suffer from this disease,” Misbah said. “The players want to publicly appreciate the vaccination teams for their courage and the way they continue to work to finish this disease in Pakistan.”

Pakistan now holds the key to global polio eradication in its hands. As long as a single child remains infected, children in all countries are at risk of contracting polio. Failure to eradicate polio from the last remaining strongholds could result in as many as 200,000 new cases every year, within 10 years, across the world.

UNICEF, the World Health Organization and Rotary highly appreciate the support of cricketers in its battle to end polio. In 2012, the Australian and Indian players wore ribbons during their Test match in Perth to acknowledge India’s success in stopping polio, Pakistan star Shahid Afridi has been the face of polio eradication in Pakistan, and captain Misbah-ul-Haq this year supported UNICEF by vaccinating children with polio drops.

November to April is the critical ‘Low Transmission Season’ for polio in Pakistan, when if all children can be reached with polio vaccine, there is every chance the country can stop polio once and for all and take the world over the finish line on eradication, ensuring that no child, anywhere, is needlessly paralyzed by polio again.

The Government of Australia through AusAID has committed $50 million to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The United Arab Emirates, under the UAE-Pakistan Assistance Programme (UPAP) has also launched campaigns in the hardest-to-reach areas of the country under the motto: ‘a healthy and bright future for all’.