There were already a number of talks going on around the world about Pakistan and its association with terrorism. The safety regarding the cricket teams to tour Pakistan had been a long issue in the world of cricket at that that time. In May 2002 New Zealand refused to play Pakistan after suicide bombings were done outside their hotel. And after some months even Australia refused to tour Pakistan. And then occurred the 2008 Mumbai attacks that scared the world and India refused to play against Pakistan in Pakistan and also in India. So the Sri Lankan Team was a replacement tour with the cancellation of Indian Cricket team’s tour.
THE ATTACK
It was 3 March 2009, when the second test of Sri Lanka and Pakistan was to be held in the Gaddafi Stadium. The Sri Lankan Team and the match officials left their hotel for the match. The first Test match ended up with a draw. As per the reports the attackers were waiting behind the Liberty Square for the Sri Lankan team bus and mini vans of match officials. As the bus arrived the attackers started firing. The Sri Lankan players tucked down to protect themselves. The police fired upon the attackers too and six policemen and two civilians lost their lives.
But with the brave action of the driver of team bus, Mehar Mohammed Khalil the lives of Sri Lankan team players were saved. He kept driving his bus despite continuous firing. Even grenades were used and rockets were launched on the bus. Khalil [the driver] was later awarded by Pakistan for his bravery.
Sri Lankan players Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana were hospitalised because they sustained injuries on thigh and chest respectively. The Reserve Umpire was shot twice and was hospitalised too. The driver of umpire and match official’s minivan lost his life in the attack. The Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said later that it was the experience of the terror attacks due to conflict in their country helped them in the situation.
After the attack the match referee Chris Broad criticised the Pakistani security arrangements. He even said that why did the Pakistani team which usually used to travel with the other team had its bus delayed for seven minutes. The match Co-umpire criticised and said that bullets were raining on them but the Pakistani forces didn’t fire a shot in defense. Even Muttiah Murlidharan criticised the security forces. And as a result the terrorists managed to run out from there on their motorcycles.
AFTERMATH
After the attack ICC imposed heavy insurance costs for cricket matches to be held in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The New Zealand team cancelled its tour of Pakistan and so did Bangladesh. Even the IPL was postponed for 45 days. For the 2011 Cricket World Cup to be hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but due to the attacks Pakistan was stripped out of it and after that a few matches were held in Pakistan.
CONCLUSION
Due to these terror attacks Pakistan’s money that used to come by holding matches was finished as cricket is a huge business platform. Not only this case but terrorism has harmed a lot to Pakistan and the world. In order to reduce such harms Pakistan needs to remove terrorism from their country.
CRICKET TALES 