Craig 6702 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Gunmen have attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team on its way to play in the Pakistani city of Lahore. At least five Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed, while at least five cricketers, and their assistant coach, were injured. Pakistani officials said about 12 gunmen were involved and grenades and rocket launchers have been recovered. Officials said the incident bore the hallmarks of deadly attacks in Mumbai in India last November. The Mumbai attacks were blamed on Pakistan-based Islamic militants. Commentators say the incident will come as a big blow to Pakistani cricket - already suffering from serious security concerns - and may put an end to international cricket in the country in the short term. Pakistan had invited Sri Lanka to tour after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour following the Mumbai attacks. The gunmen opened fire on the Sri Lankan team bus which was in the heart of Lahore on its way to the Gaddafi stadium, venue for a Test match between the two sides. Witnesses reported an intense burst of heavy gunfire and explosions, as the gunmen first aimed for the police detail accompanying the team, before attacking the team coach. At least five policemen were killed. Officials in Lahore said two members of the Sri Lankan team - Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana - were sent to hospital. At least another four received minor wounds, including assistant coach Paul Farbrace. "The players are shocked. They have never gone through anything like this before," former Sri Lankan player Sanath Jayasuriya told an Indian news channel on the phone from Colombo. A Pakistani air force helicopter has now evacuated members of the Sri Lankan team from Gaddafi Stadium, after Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack" and ordered the players' immediate evacuation. The third day of play in the Second Test was scheduled to begin, but officials said the match has now been cancelled. TV pictures showed two gunmen with backpacks on the road where the incident happened. According to Lahore police chief Habibur Rahman, "10 to 12" attackers came to the scene in auto rickshaws. Grenades and rocket launchers were found at the site of the incident, police said. Pakistan is engaged in a bloody struggle against Islamist insurgents who have staged high-profile attacks on civilian targets before. India and Australia have pulled out of cricket tours in Pakistan in the recent past citing security concerns. The sport's world governing body, the International Cricket Council, last month decided not to hold the 2009 Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to safety worries. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also waging its own military campaign at home, against Tamil Tiger separatist rebels. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7920260.stm Tragic I guess that's the last time anyone will be touring Pakistan for a very long time. Difficult to comprehend what they feel they've achieved from this. Apparently Dominic Cork and Chris Broad are out there - both are safe but Broad is supposed to be covered in blood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyshinton 59 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Gunmen have attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team on its way to play in the Pakistani city of Lahore. At least five Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed, while at least five cricketers, and their assistant coach, were injured. Pakistani officials said about 12 gunmen were involved and grenades and rocket launchers have been recovered. Officials said the incident bore the hallmarks of deadly attacks in Mumbai in India last November. The Mumbai attacks were blamed on Pakistan-based Islamic militants. Commentators say the incident will come as a big blow to Pakistani cricket - already suffering from serious security concerns - and may put an end to international cricket in the country in the short term. Pakistan had invited Sri Lanka to tour after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour following the Mumbai attacks. The gunmen opened fire on the Sri Lankan team bus which was in the heart of Lahore on its way to the Gaddafi stadium, venue for a Test match between the two sides. Witnesses reported an intense burst of heavy gunfire and explosions, as the gunmen first aimed for the police detail accompanying the team, before attacking the team coach. At least five policemen were killed. Officials in Lahore said two members of the Sri Lankan team - Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana - were sent to hospital. At least another four received minor wounds, including assistant coach Paul Farbrace. "The players are shocked. They have never gone through anything like this before," former Sri Lankan player Sanath Jayasuriya told an Indian news channel on the phone from Colombo. A Pakistani air force helicopter has now evacuated members of the Sri Lankan team from Gaddafi Stadium, after Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack" and ordered the players' immediate evacuation. The third day of play in the Second Test was scheduled to begin, but officials said the match has now been cancelled. TV pictures showed two gunmen with backpacks on the road where the incident happened. According to Lahore police chief Habibur Rahman, "10 to 12" attackers came to the scene in auto rickshaws. Grenades and rocket launchers were found at the site of the incident, police said. Pakistan is engaged in a bloody struggle against Islamist insurgents who have staged high-profile attacks on civilian targets before. India and Australia have pulled out of cricket tours in Pakistan in the recent past citing security concerns. The sport's world governing body, the International Cricket Council, last month decided not to hold the 2009 Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to safety worries. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also waging its own military campaign at home, against Tamil Tiger separatist rebels. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7920260.stm Tragic I guess that's the last time anyone will be touring Pakistan for a very long time. Difficult to comprehend what they feel they've achieved from this. Apparently Dominic Cork and Chris Broad are out there - both are safe but Broad is supposed to be covered in blood. Bastards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Absolutely terrible situation for all invovled and not just the cricketers. It's something though that you can't even represent your country when play a sport such as cricket without fear of such vile inhumain activities. Also the World Cup is going to be terrible over there with this going on. It's certainly not a safe venue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoggeordie 0 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 2 players shot in the chest and one in the leg according to the BBC video on the site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Very sad news. It will be a long time before anyone will tour in Pakistan as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Did anyone see the interview with the police chief btw? Just saw it on Sky Sports News. Basically said if they don't catch them they will kill them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6702 Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 Also the World Cup is going to be terrible over there with this going on. It's certainly not a safe venue. They've lost that now. As, quite possibly, have India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh. Far too near the epicentre of all this. Shame like that the actions of the extremist few will determine such a change. Awful that sport cannot go ahead without the threat of violence though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Tragic I guess that's the last time anyone will be touring Pakistan for a very long time. Difficult to comprehend what they feel they've achieved from this. Apparently Dominic Cork and Chris Broad are out there - both are safe but Broad is supposed to be covered in blood. Media coverage most likely, as well as fear, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Lazaru 0 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 They're only going to be able to play away from their own country now, you can't have other teams having to go there and to be fair nobody will go, whether that decision is made by governements, sports authorities or the players themselves. Shame for the genuine fans of cricket over there and the players who will be denied the chance to play in front of their own fans, but nobody in their right mind will play there for years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sniffer 0 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Not surprised it happened in Pakistan. Fucked up country IMO filled with as much hate as you'll find anywhere else in the world. There'll be plenty of people who'll hide the gunmen as well. Wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of smiles in Bradford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Not surprised it happened in Pakistan. Fucked up country IMO filled with as much hate as you'll find anywhere else in the world. There'll be plenty of people who'll hide the gunmen as well. Wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of smiles in Bradford. I would, especially given the target. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sniffer 0 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 They're outnumbered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 They're outnumbered. I didn't mean because there were lots of Sri Lankans there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve 0 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I feel for the Pakistani players in this. You have to think the ICC won't allow any series to go ahead in Pakistan for the foreseeable future meaning they can't play at home in such a passionate cricket country. Australia's series against them in a few months was already organised to take place in the UAE and they haven't played a match in Pakistan since 1998 due to security. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2bias 3 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Some people are sick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Not surprised it happened in Pakistan. Fucked up country IMO filled with as much hate as you'll find anywhere else in the world. There'll be plenty of people who'll hide the gunmen as well. Wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of smiles in Bradford. I would, especially given the target. It could be a cunning plan to get the Pakistani team over here more often..... mind you I wouldn't be surprised to find some of the gunmen over here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooth Operator 10 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 A disappointing day for the Sri Lankan cricket team being 5 down before lunch........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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