Today, the cricket world is shocked by hearing the news that Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in Pakistan when the players were on their way to Gaddafi stadium for the third day’s play of the second Test match against Pakistan. A gang of gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team with rifles, grenades and rocket launchers. Six Sri Lankan players were injured, 6 policemen and a civilian were killed by their attack. This incident took place when the Sri Lankan team was near the liberty around about which is close to the stadium. None of the attackers were killed or captured at the scene. Sri Lankan Captain Mahela Jayawardene , star wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara, mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana are injured in this incident. By this incident, Pakistan ended the hopes of international cricket teams playing in this country. Even before the incident, most cricket teams choose not to tour the Pakistan because of security reasons. Authorities canceled the test match and the team decided to leave their home. These attack echoes the Mumbai terror attack in November which led to the Indian cricket team canceling its planned tour of Pakistan.
It is one of the biggest attacks in the Cricket History. It ’s a bad time for Sri-Lankan team. At least six Pakistani police officers were killed and several cricketers wounded in these attacks. The attackers appeared to have been well planned. The Pakistan police forces were traveling in a van fired back but failed to hit the attackers. The three hours after the attack, at least eight Sri Lankan players and team officials left the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on a Pakistani army helicopter. The two Sri Lankan players, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana were being treated for bullet wounds in a hospital and the reporters says that both are out of danger. Pakistan Country is home for Terrorists. The other cricket teams will not be safe this country. Today, The Australian Cricket teams and others have refused to play in Pakistan. This shocking incident will be very effect on the Pakistan Cricket future. This incident is a big shame for Pakistan and a black mark for international cricket. All the cricket lovers are saying that the Pakistan team also banned for playing International Cricket.
Regarding the future of a Pakistan’s cricket team, Pakistan captain Younis Khan commented that not to allow cricket die in Pakistan. He also says that if cricket is taken away from this country, the future of this country will not be good. The future of the nation is in hands of youngsters. Sports help to make good human beings. If sports are not there, children are attracting other damage options like making bombs, and they may go on bad paths.
Sri Lankan spin king and the highest wicket taker Muralitharan condemned the poor security of the team, and he demanded improved security arrangements for international teams. He and Australian umpire Simon Taufel also says that there may have been a conspiracy behind Tuesday’s terrorist attack. They suspect the change that made in the departure time of Pakistan’s team to the stadium. He suggested the terrorists may have had inside information. There are no police with guns on the bus. If someone was there, it is a chance to defend. Muralidharan also gives a doubt about his future play after this attack. The umpires Chris Broad, Simon Taufel and Steve Davis also criticize the security given to them by Pakistan Cricket Board. Chris Broad was angry at the failure of police guards to protect him and his fellow match officials. He says that they had promised high level security, but in our hour of need that security vanished. All nations condemned the security given by the PCB to the cricket team.
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan told about this attack that he believes that “foreign element” could be involved in this attack and it could be India, Afghanistan and the Tamil Tigers and their motive is to damage the state of Pakistan and cricket in Pakistan. IPL’s most expensive player former England captain Kevin Pietersen also considers his withdrawal from Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament due to this attack. Pakistan Government offered a judicial inquiry about this attack. The police said that a full report on the attack would be presented Friday, but no new details were revealed.
