Cricket fans mourn imminent death of int'l cricket

Chris Dhambarage in Lahore, Pakistan

Cricket crazy fans in Pakistan were mourning the imminent death of international cricket after the deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team's bus heading towards the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore yesterday.

"This attack simply means that no international team will be willing to come and play any sport in Pakistan. The most embarrassing thing is the fact that the attack was targeted at a team that was trying to help Pakistani cricket by agreeing to tour at a time of severe crises," fans said.

Vice captain Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavithana are injured and although their lives are out of danger it was most unfortunate that these top cricketers had to face this situation.

It was last week, during the Karachi Test, former England fast bowler Dominic Cork and Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss spoke about the excellent security arrangements in Pakistan and had pleaded international sides to come and play cricket in Pakistan. But for certain the Pakistani fans can pretty well say goodbye to international cricket after this attack and should be prepared for a total boycott of all sporting events in the country for the next few months.

This is no doubt the darkest day in the history of Pakistan cricket and it has occurred in a pleasant suburb of Lahore, once great city of gardens and tranquility.