CRICKET:Pakistan's chances of co-hosting the 2011 World Cup have almost certainly disappeared after this morning's deadly attack on the Sri Lanka team bus. At least eight Pakistanis were killed, while six players and a British coach were injured when around a dozen gunmen attacked near the Gaddafi stadium this morning.
No-one has yet claimed responsibility, but the attack increased fears that Pakistan is veering out of control and will end any hopes of international cricket teams - or any sports teams - playing in the country for months, if not years.
"I don't see the International Cricket Council allowing World Cup matches to be held in Pakistan now. It is gone," former Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis said shortly after the attack.
Former ICC president and Pakistan-born Ehsan Mani told Reuters it was "very unrealistic" to think teams will play in Pakistan for at least the next two to three years.
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said later that a decision would be made at their next board meeting in April.
"The World Cup is to be held on the sub-continent with Pakistan as one of the joint hosts but I think it will be very challenging for us to be convinced that Pakistan would be a safe venue," he told a news conference at Lord's.
The 2011 World Cup is due to be co-hosted by Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Waqar, who is a commentator for the test series, was metres away from the Sri Lanka coach when the attack took place as the vehicle approached the stadium.
"We talk about foreign teams coming to Pakistan... providing them top security. After what happened today, I don't see any team coming to Pakistan for a while," he said.
Waqar's sentiments were echoed by another former captain, Javed Miandad, who believes the attack was a massive body blow to Pakistan cricket.
"It is going to be very difficult for us to now convince teams that they can play the World Cup in Pakistan safely," he said.
Saleem Altaf, chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said they had received messages of support from the ICC and other member boards but recognised there was concern.
"I would say today's incident would only increase these concerns. But no decision has been taken to move away the matches," he said.
Waqar pointed out that with the security situation in Sri Lanka also considered volatile, he expected the ICC to take the World Cup away from the sub-continent.
A third former captain, Rashid Latif, said he was shocked by the events in Lahore.
"Cricketers have never been attacked in Pakistan despite what the situation has been in the country. Today is a black day for Pakistan cricket and Pakistan," he said.
Lorgat added: "It's difficult to see international cricket being played in Pakistan for the foreseeable future".
Mani agreed, saying: "Cricketers are vulnerable and it is very unrealistic to think teams will play in Pakistan in the short term, maybe for two or three years.
"It is very sad but I am afraid using neutral venues to play matches is going to happen more and more.
"It has only been Asian teams who have wanted to visit Pakistan recently - India were there last year - but now a team has been targeted, this changes things greatly."
The ambush came as a convoy carrying the squad and match officials reached a roundabout close to the main sports stadium in the eastern city of Lahore.
A 15-minute gun battle followed. None of the attackers were killed or captured at the scene but six police officers and a civilian died were reported killed.
Two Sri Lankan players, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana, were being treated for injuries in hospital but were stable a spokesman for the Sri Lankan High Commission said.
Team captain Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Suranka Lakmal and Chaminda Vaas suffered minor injuries and British assistant coach Paul Farbrace, a former Middlesex and Kent county player, also sustained minor injuries.
Australian head coach Trevor Bayliss was not wounded.
A rocket launcher and a grenade were fired at the vehicle. Bus driver Khalil Ahmed said afterwards that he and the players were only alive by the "grace of God".
"As we approached the city's Liberty Roundabout, I slowed down. Just then what seemed to be a rocket was fired at my coach, but it missed and I think flew over the top of the vehicle," he told the BBC.
"Almost immediately afterwards a person ran in front of the bus and threw a grenade in our direction. But it rolled underneath the coach and did not seem to cause that much damage.
"Soon after that I was aware that the vehicles had come under attack by firearms. I was shocked and stunned."
Sri-Lankan players and staff injured in the attack.
THILAN SAMARAWEERA
The 32-year-old was one of two players taken to hospital for treatment after the attack. He began his cricket career as an off-spinner but developed into a Test batsman with an average over 50. Scored a double hundred in the Lahore Test before its abandonment.
THARANGA PARANAVITANA
Batsman and captain of Sinhalese Sports Club in his country’s domestic competition. The 26-year-old was called up to the senior squad for the first time for the tour of Pakistan after impressing for Sri Lanka A in South Africa last year. Also taken to hospital for treatment.
MAHELA JAYAWARDENE
Captain, 31, who led his country’s one-day team to the 2007 World Cup final but was due to step down as Test skipper after the Lahore match. A hugely talented batsman, he averages more than 53 in Tests and 32 in ODIs.
KUMAR SANGAKKARA
A left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper — although he has handed the latter role to Prasanna Jayawardene of late — the 31-year-old once topped the ICC’s batting rankings and is currently third. Averages just under 55 in his 80 Tests so far.
AJANTHA MENDIS
Prodigiously talented 23-year-old spinner who was named man of the series in last year’s Asia Cup, when he took six for 13 against India in the final. Claimed eight wickets on his Test debut in India, and went on to take 18 more in the two further matches of the series.
CHAMINDA VAAS
The 35-year-old is his country’s greatest pace bowler with 354 wickets in 110 Tests and 400 in 322 ODIs. The first man ever to take eight wickets in a ODI, against Zimbabwe, and claimed a hat-trick with the first three balls of the match against Bangladesh in the 2003 World Cup.
SURANKA LAKMAL
The seamer, 21, is yet to make his Test debut after being called up for the first time in Pakistan. Like Paranavitana, he gained recognition for the second string in South Africa last year.
PAUL FARBRACE
The Englishman was appointed Sri Lanka’s assistant coach in July 2007 after spells with the England women’s team and Under-19s. The 41-year-old had an unremarkable 40-match first-class career with Kent and Middlesex as a wicketkeeper.
AHSAN RAZA
The official was shot in the back by the attackers and taken to hospital where his condition was described as critical. He was fourth umpire in the Lahore Test and is a native of the city. The 34-year-old had a brief first-class career as a wicketkeeper before turning to umpiring.