Monday, March 2, 2009

Lahore Test scrapped after attack

Thilan Samaraweera
Samaraweera is receiving treatment after being shot in the thigh

The second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been called off following the attack on the bus carrying the tourists' team in Lahore.

Five Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed in the gunfire.

Five Sri Lanka players - Thilan Samaraweera, Ajantha Mendis, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Thushara - were injured.

Samaraweera, who was shot in the thigh, is being treated in hospital but none of the injuries are life threatening.

Sri Lanka's assistant coach, former Kent batsman Paul Farbrace, suffered a shrapnel wound to his arm.

The bus was in a convoy on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the third day of the second Test.

Match referee Chris Broad, the father of England bowler Stuart Broad, was in the vehicle behind the Sri Lanka team but was unhurt.

Samaweera had scored a double century in Sri Lanka's first innings of 606 all out and Pakistan had reached 110-1 in reply at the end of day two of the Second Test, which was the final match of their 2009 tour.

Sri Lanka have been in Pakistan since 20 January and played a one day international in Lahore on 24 January, which the tourists won by 234 runs.

The tour was only arranged after India were barred by their government from touring the country following the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008.

The Sri Lanka squad are now waiting to be airlifted from the stadium and their vice captain Kumar Sangakkara confirmed he and his team-mates were "safe and out of danger".

Sangakkara said: "We are shocked but apart from that everyone is okay."

Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse condemned the incident as a "cowardly terrorist attack".

And International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "We note with dismay and regret the events in Lahore and we condemn this attack without reservation.

"I have confirmed with both member boards that the remainder of the tour has been cancelled and we are working hard to get our match officials out of the area as safely and as quickly as possible.

"I know, also, that the Pakistan Cricket Board is working with Sri Lanka Cricket to make sure the players are flown home at the earliest opportunity."

N Srinivasan, the secretary of India's cricket board, added: "The Board of Control for Cricket in India expresses its sorrow and anguish over the dastardly attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.

"We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured cricketers, and sympathise with their families and compatriots. The BCCI stands alongside Sri Lanka Cricket in this hour of crisis."

Cricket Australia's chief executive James Sutherland said: "Australian cricket has many friends in Sri Lanka and in Pakistan and we sincerely hope they are all safe after this awful incident."

Australia refused to tour Pakistan in 2008 because of security concerns following the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

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