Update From Lahore

The Sri Lankan team has arrived back home today after the tragic events in Lahore yesterday. It is just a miracle that no players or officials lost their lives in the terrorist attack. Some Pakistan security guards, police, officials and civilians were not so lucky and well wishes must go out to their families and loved ones at such a tragic time.
Some of the luckiest people appear to be the two Australian umpires whose van was fired upon. The gunmen fired on the Sri Lankan bus first but the driver of the bus was able to plough into the Gadafi Stadium which offered protection from the attackers. The attackers then turned their attention onto the umpire's van and their driver sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The van was then a sitting duck and was peppered with bullets, while the umpires lay on the floor of the van with bullets ripping around their heads. The Pakistani fourth umpire was shot in the shoulder and it was some time before a policeman got into the driver's seat and drove the van into the stadium. The umpires have been quoted as saying that they thought "their time was up".
The Sri Lankans are just happy to be alive and at home, and it will only be in the next few months that the impact on them as a cricketing nation is realised. The Pakistan team and captain were some of the first to condemn the attack, saying that they wished the attack had been aimed at them not a visiting team that was invited to the country as their guests. These are comforting words, and the peace loving cricket community of Pakistan is one of the biggest losers in this tragedy, as they contemplate the future of the game in their country. Arguably Pakistan's greatest cricketer Imran Khan said that this was the worst day in the history of Pakistan cricket, and that the "security breach was a disgrace" considering the Sri Lankan team's safety was promised prior to the tour.
It now appears that Pakistan, who was to co-host the 2011 World Cup, is most likely to lose that honour. The New Zealand Cricket team who is scheduled to tour Pakistan later this year will most likely have to cancel their tour. It is easy for us to encourage our sportsmen to stand up to some risks but it is certainly apparent that the situation in Pakistan is not safe for cricketers to travel to. The Pakistan public will now see Pakistan forced into playing their home series on neutral territory like Dubai.
You have to wonder what the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Government can do to prevent international teams boycotting their country. The international cricket community has been quick to respond to the incident with broad resolve. However there is immediate confusion on where Pakistan cricket stands in the future of the game. David Morgan the ICC president said;
"For many years we have been told that international cricketers would be targeted in Pakistan and this morning's events have proved that to be incorrect. The world is a dangerous place but cricket must go on, it will go on, it's a great game and it's a solace to so many people."
Other international teams and players including Ricky Ponting have contacted the Sri Lankan team and wished them all the best and a speedy recovery. The cricket community is a strong one and there is no doubt that everyone will band together in keeping the game strong and moving forward. We can only hope that in some ways this strengthens the resolve of not only cricket but sport in general, to stand strong in the face of cowards who wish to destroy others freedom and right to enjoy life and sport.

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