Sportsnob – Critics Corner

 I hate to say this. But this was coming. In a shocking incident in Lahore, terrorists ambushed the bus of the Sri Lankan cricket team injuring 6 cricketers. The Sri Lankan team was traveling from the hotel to the Gaddafi stadium for the second day of the test match when the team bus was attacked by terrorists at the crowded Liberty Chowk. None of the Sti Lankan cricketers seem to be seriously injured but unfortunately 6 bodyguards and 2 civilians lost their lives. Hours after the ambush, local police defused two car bombs and also recovered a stash of weapons.

The first incident after Munich 1972?

All day I have been trying to think of incidents where sports persons were directly targeted by terrorists or other militant groups. But I just cant come up of any other incidents apart from the Munich 1972 attack where Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian gunmen. There have been incidents where there have been bomb incidents around sporting events but none that have directly involved athletes.

Long term impact on Pakistan Sport

I don’t think too many teams will even think about touring Pakistan meaning that the country will be forced to play most of its home matches in cricket, football, and other team sports on neutral venues (most probably the Middle East). The 2011 World Cup will probably be shifted exclusively to India and Sri Lanka (and probably Bangladesh). The big question is what exactly was the Pakistan security forces doing? This was a very high-profile tour and the first cricket tour in Pakistan in almost two years. No amount of assurances from Pakistan authorities will convince any team to tour the country unless the situations change dramatically. 

Its a good thing that the Indian team did not tour Pakistan. considering the history, and the situation an attack on the Indian team would have been absolutely catastrophic.