Terror attack on cricketers condemned

New Delhi, Mar 3 (PTI) The terrorist attack on Sri Lankan
players in Lahore Tuesday evoked strong worldwide condemnation
with administrators and players raising question marks on
Pakistans's status as an international venue.

The International Cricket Council Chief Executive Haroon
Lorgat described the attack on Lankan team as "very upsetting"
for the cricket family.

"It is a source of great sadness that there have been a
number of fatalities in this attack and it is also very
upsetting for the wider cricket family that some of the Sri
Lanka players and one match official have been injured in this
attack," he said.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who decided to
cut short his official tour of Nepal following the incident,
said it was a "cowardly terrorist attack" on the team which
visited Pakistan as the goodwill ambassador.

"I condemn this cowardly terrorist attack targeting the
Sri Lankan cricket team. The Sri Lankan players had gone to
Pakistan as ambassadors of goodwill," he said.

BCCI's Niranjan Shah said the happenings in Lahore would
have a bearing on the 2011 World Cup to be co-hosted by India,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"It will have some effect, there is no doubt about it,"
said Shah, who is accompanying the Indian cricket team as the
administrative manager for the tour of New Zealand.

Shah said Indian players were shocked at the shootout on
the Sri Lankan team ahead of their third day's play in second
Test against Pakistan.

"The players are all shocked. This is not acceptable
anywhere. We never expect such things in cricket. This is
really a terrible incident," said the former BCCI secretary.

Indian players wore black bands on their sleeves as a
mark of respect for their Sri Lankan counterparts.

At least six Sri Lankan cricketers were injured when
armed terrorists opened fire at them killing five police
personnel escorting the team to the Gaddafi stadium.

The injured cricketers include Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha
Mendis and Thilan Samaraweera.

Former England cricketer Dominic Cork said no more
international cricket should be played in Pakistan after such
an incident.

"I won't be coming back here while I'm living, there is
no chance. I don't think international cricket should return
to this country," said a shocked Cork, who was in Lahore as a
television commentator.

The BCCI firmly stood by Sri Lankan Cricket while
also expressing anguish over the incident.

"We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured
cricketers, and sympathise with their families and
compatriots," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said.

"The BCCI stands alongside Sri Lanka Cricket in this hour
of crisis," he said.

The incident was also condemned by the cricket community
in Pakistan with former captain Inzamam-ul Haq expressing
concern for the future of cricket in the country.

"Tell me who will come to Pakistan now. This incident has
greatly damaged the reputation of Pakistan cricket. All
security fears expressed by foreign teams have come true,"
Inzamam said.

PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt said it was a well coordinated
attack carried out by trained terrorists.

"We did everything possible to control things but there
are some things out of our control," he said.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James
Sutherland said his Board was shocked to learn that Sri Lankan
team was attacked in Pakistan and hoped for the safety of
players following the incident.

"Australian cricket has many friends in Sri Lanka and in
Pakistan and we sincerely hope they are all safe after this
awful incident," he said in a statement issued here.

"Early reports are unclear but we are deeply saddened to
hear reports that security officials in Pakistan have been
killed in this attack.

"We will be seeking to talk to Sri Lankan and Pakistan
cricket officials as soon as possible to pass on our
condolences," Sutherland said.

New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said
"I think we are shocked as everyone is tonight".

"I think because it is the first time a cricket team has
been the target of terrorist activity there is a whole new
scale of shock," Vaughan said.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key also strongly
condemned the attack.

"I condemn this despicable terrorist act. I am very
concerned at this turn of events, where an international
sports team has been targeted by terrorists," he said.

He, however, refrained from making a comment on the fate
of the Kiwis' tour of Pakistan later this year. PTI Team
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