Cricket hit by terrorism

The terrorist attacks in Pakistan yesterday have come as a huge blow to cricket fans. For the first time a cricket team has been targeted by terrorists, in attacks that mirrored the Mumbai attacks of last year.

The Sri Lankan team were travelling in a convoy towards the Gaddafi cricket ground in Lahore, when they were ambushed at a roundabot in the Liberty Square area of the city.

Two cars approached and fired a grenade. At the same time gunmen appeared and began firing onto the convoy. At least six policeman were killed as well as a driver. Seven Sri Lankan players were injured as well as the English Assistant Coach, Paul Farbrace and a local umpire Ahshan Raza.

Sri Lanka were only in Pakistan because the Indian team pulled out due to security concerns, but should Pakistan have hosted a test series in the current climate anyway?

Sri Lanka have had good relations with Pakistan over the years, and the attacks on the national team has left many cricket followers shocked. Indeed Chris Broad, the match official (and father of England Bowler Stuart) who was caught up in the attacks said "I think this has shocked the world of cricket."

Broad has also criticised the Pakistani security forces for not providing adequate protection. "I am extremely angry that we were promised high-level security and in our hour of need that security vanished." Whether or not this is accurate is hard to say at this time but what is certain is that this attack surprised everyone.

Test cricket in Pakistan is surely not a viable option for the near future, and one wonders when the Pakistani security forces will be able to ensure players safety. Many England players were worried prior to their tour of India, but thankfully the tour went ahead safely.

This attack could put this year's IPL season in doubt. Will expensive signings such as Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff really want to play cricket in India if there are doubts over their safety? I doubt it and this could be key to the competition's future.

It is very sad that in an area of the world that is obsessed by cricket, they may not be able to host matches there. There have been suggestions of neutral venues for future Pakistan series, with England being a possibility for the postponed Australian tour. However, it would be a shame if it came to this.

Pakistan is beginning to look increasingly unstable, and yesterday cricket became tragically involved in this mess. Cricket fans will be hoping that this is never again repeated.