What's new

On This Day: March 3, 2009 - Sri Lanka Test team comes under terrorist attack in Lahore

MenInG

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Runs
217,977
According to the officials, 12 gunmen were hiding near Liberty Square, in the centre of Lahore, waiting for the Sri Lankan team to pass on their way to the Gaddafi stadium. When the bus crossed the road they started firing, targeting the bus. The Pakistan police escorting the team returned fire; in the ensuing fighting, six policemen and two civilians died. After about 20 minutes, the militants fled, leaving behind rocket launchers and grenades.[11]

The gunmen had first targeted the wheels of the bus, and then had fired at the bus and its occupants.[19] The attackers had fired a rocket at the bus, which missed and hit a nearby electric pole. The driver of the bus, Mehar Mohammad Khalil, had then kept on driving a distance of about 500 metres (1,600 ft) until they reached the stadium. Khalil was hailed as a hero for his bravery.[20][21] The attackers had also thrown a grenade under the bus, which exploded after the bus had passed over it.[22]

A minivan following the team bus carrying the match referee and umpires was also fired upon and the driver was killed.[23] Simon Taufel, Steve Davis, Nadeem Ghauri, Ahsan Raza, umpires performance manager Peter Manuel, liaison officer Abdul Sami and ICC match referee Chris Broad were in this minivan. The minivan was subsequently allegedly abandoned by security personnel and no bullets were fired by the security forces for twenty minutes. Chris Broad threw himself over and kept his hand on the chest of Ahsan Raza to slow down the profuse bleeding from a bullet injury. A police officer who climbed into the minivan to seek cover drove the minivan to safety.

Security cameras captured footage of several gunmen carrying automatic weapons and backpacks, firing on the convoy from the Liberty Square roundabout.[24] They were later seen jogging up the street and escaping on motorcycles.[25] The video was broadcast around the world presenting pictures of the attacks.[17] CCTV footage has been made public.[26] They arrived at 8:39 am local time and left at 8:46 am.[26] The attackers were armed with AK-47 assault rifles, hand grenades, RPG launchers, claymores and explosive charges.[10][27]

The Sri Lankan team were then taken to the stadium and airlifted from the pitch via Pakistan Air Force Mil Mi-17 helicopters,[28] and immediate arrangements were made for the Sri Lankan team to return to Colombo on the next available flight.[29] The second Test, which was the last scheduled fixture of the tour, was abandoned as a draw.[30]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_attack_on_the_Sri_Lanka_national_cricket_team
 
This and Phillip Hughes's death, the worst two days for me as a fan of the game.
 
Remember this day, I was at work ...

Couldn't believe something like this actually happened to cricketers :facepalm:
 
It may seem like a long time, but for Pakistan cricket fans, March 3 is a day to forget. On this day, nine years ago, the visiting Sri Lankan team bus was attacked on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, leaving a few Lankan cricketers injured.

Panic set in and the cricket fraternity began to ponder if it would be wise to continue cricketing activities in Pakistan. But for millions of cricket fans and thousands of cricketers, it was the beginning of a form of alienation that still continues to haunt cricket in the country.

Though a considerable amount of time has passed since the attack, most of the Sri Lankan cricketers of that team, even today, choose to stay mum on the issue — making it clear that they would not like to think about that terror-struck morning. Its the same case among the Pakistani cricketers too — both past and present — as they tend to stay away from that gruesome incident. However, they unanimously agree that the fateful morning inflicted widespread damage to Pakistan’s cricket.

“The young cricketers were worst hit. They had nothing to look forward to, and with no international cricket at home, they have not been able to show their talents,” former Pakistan spinner, Danish Kaneria, who was a member of the Pakistan side during that Test against Sri Lanka in 2009, tells Sportstar.

The leggie still remembers each moment from that morning. “We were getting ready to reach the stadium and the Sri Lankan team left five minutes before us, and then it all happened. We all were scared,” Kaneria says, adding that the incident tore apart the cricketing culture of the country. “People of Pakistan love cricket and they can’t see international teams play. That incident damaged Pakistan cricket,” he adds.

Even former International Cricket Council (ICC) chief, Ehsan Mani, who hails from Pakistan, agrees that the Lahore attack has done ‘terrible damage to the game in the country’.

“There’s no doubt about it. Even until recently, there were no teams going to Pakistan. It deprives fans of international cricket, and the youngsters too suffer. Promoting the game has also affected in the process,” Mani says.

The seasoned administrator, however, believes that the situation is improving immensely. “I spend lot of time in Pakistan, and I can see things improving. Even today, if India plays Pakistan, there would be no security issues,” Mani says, adding that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has aided in improving the situation.

While Pakistan maintained its cricketing activities, most of it was in the United Arab Emirates, where the Pakistan Super League is currently being held. With some of the biggest names involved in the tournament, the expectations were high even before the tournament got underway. But to everyone’s surprise, the stands have been empty and there has hardly been any turnout even for the crucial clashes.

“Look, had PSL been held in Pakistan in the first year itself, overseas players would have been reluctant to go. What happened last year, that with a couple of matches, players were prepared to go to Pakistan. There’s no quick fix solution to this. A player wants to play in a pressure-free zone and that can only happen with long-term confidence building. It’s just got to continue, important steps in the right direction,” Mani said.

In an interview with Sportstar recently, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Najam Sethi, had hoped to conduct all the games of the PSL in Pakistan next year. “Eventually, that’s what you have to do to survive,” Sethi had said. And now, with international players too relenting from their stance of not travelling to Pakistan, it looks like a possibility.

http://www.sportstarlive.com/cricke...l-haunts-pakistan-cricket/article22917861.ece
 
The thing was this attack was after the assurance was given by Pakistan that security will be provided, but unfortunately had it not been for the driver it would have been a bigger mess, and Lanka took place of India after later backed out Imagine the repercussions if the incident took place if it was team India in place of Lanka.
 
Cricket's darkest day. Remember it was my brother who told us, and he doesn't care about cricket at all. I was too young to understand the situation properly though but I can imagine if I was older how sad I was feeling and I can imagine what all the cricket fans who were older than me were feeling when something like that happened.
 
I was too young but understood the gravity of the situation because of the shock my dad was in when this was all over the news. Very sad day for the cricketing fraternity.
 
A horrible day - a day of infamy for Pakistan and its cricket.
 
Terrible day for the country. It did enormous damage to the country's image and diplomatic standing, it wasn't just a bad day for cricket. Failure on the part of the government and the intelligence services.
 
On this day, 15 years ago, Pakistan's cricket had a huge set back when the visiting team, Sri Lanka was attacked. That day can never be forgotten because Pakistan had to suffer a lot due to this incident. This resulted in no home cricket for many years to come.
 
A dark day. I didn't expect it to happen. Glad no player lost life (it could've been worse).
 
It was a black day in Pakistan's cricket history but I want to appreciate our Sri Lankan brothers for how maturely they responded to that incident.
 
Sixteen years ago today, Pakistan cricket faced one of its darkest days.

On this day, 12 gunmen ambushed the Sri Lankan cricket team at Gaddafi Stadium, resulting in the tragic loss of five policemen and a driver. Six Sri Lankan players were wounded in the attack.

This horrific event not only shook the cricketing world but also left a lasting impact on the sport in Pakistan. As we remember this somber anniversary, we honor the bravery of those who protected the players and reflect on the resilience of the cricketing community in the face of such adversity.
 
I still remember that day.

I was waiting to watch 2nd Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and suddenly this terror attack happened.

This could've been a lot worse. Glad no player or umpire was killed.
 
Sixteen years ago today, Pakistan cricket faced one of its darkest days.

On this day, 12 gunmen ambushed the Sri Lankan cricket team at Gaddafi Stadium, resulting in the tragic loss of five policemen and a driver. Six Sri Lankan players were wounded in the attack.

This horrific event not only shook the cricketing world but also left a lasting impact on the sport in Pakistan. As we remember this somber anniversary, we honor the bravery of those who protected the players and reflect on the resilience of the cricketing community in the face of such adversity.

26/11 and 03/03 had a massive negative impact on Pakistan cricket.

First event lead to fall out with Bharat resulting in closure of IPL doors for Pakistani cricketers and the second event lead to a decade long halt of major international cricket teams coming to Pakistan.

The sad part is that after 16 years it’s still not uncommon to hear of terror attacks in Pakistan. Pakistanis do not realize that people dying here or there or cricket happening or not happening makes no difference to their military dictatorship. Until the people do not seize control of the nation from the military, things won’t change much. This can go on for decades and nobody will bother.
 
Strangest thing is that no culprit has been caught. To date.

The "terrorists" fled back on the opposite road from incoming QRFs. That day.

No investigation carried out either.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No just . engagement farming
Pakistanis and their conspiracy theories know no bounds. 9/11 was an inside job, OBL was not hiding in Pakistan, Mumbai Attacks were an inside job, Ajmal Kasab was not a Pakistani, World Cup 2011 was completely rigged in favor of India, DRS was deliberately manipulated in the semi final match between India and Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup, India orchestrated the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan ...... the list goes on, and on.​
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It was a black day that kept cricket away from Pakistan for 16 years. Does not matter who did it. These kinds of things are not good for any human being.
 
It was a black day that kept cricket away from Pakistan for 16 years. Does not matter who did it. These kinds of things are not good for any human being.
Of course. It matters.

If one of your family hits another house member.

Neighbors stop coming to your house citing fear of the antagonist cohabiting with you. Lest they are also on receiving end.
 
Of course. It matters.

If one of your family hits another house member.

Neighbors stop coming to your house citing fear of the antagonist cohabiting with you. Lest they are also on receiving end.
A terrorist is a terrorist. They have no religion. That is why I said it does not matter who they are.... they should be dealt with on equal basis.
 
Indeed it was an effort to sabotage the cricket here

We were deprived of home cricket for a decade

Lost hosting of 2011 CWC and 2008 CT


There was a terrorist attack in your country and you are more concerned about not being able to watch cricket games in your country . Pathetic
 
A terrorist is a terrorist. They have no religion. That is why I said it does not matter who they are.... they should be dealt with on equal basis.
Now you are being dramatic. Let's stick to facts here. They haven't been dealt. Because of their connections to GHQ.

Footage from security cameras was released by the television station Geo of several attackers calmly fleeing the scene of the crime down a deserted side street. All of the armed men were shown escaping, none of whom have been apprehended.​
The men are seen carrying their assault rifles and are unhindered by any police pursuit.​
“On this particular day the Pakistan bus left five minutes after the Sri Lankan bus. Why? After this happened you start to think: ‘Did someone know something and they held the Pakistan bus back?'”​
 
Now you are being dramatic. Let's stick to facts here. They haven't been dealt. Because of their connections to GHQ.

Footage from security cameras was released by the television station Geo of several attackers calmly fleeing the scene of the crime down a deserted side street. All of the armed men were shown escaping, none of whom have been apprehended.​
The men are seen carrying their assault rifles and are unhindered by any police pursuit.​
“On this particular day the Pakistan bus left five minutes after the Sri Lankan bus. Why? After this happened you start to think: ‘Did someone know something and they held the Pakistan bus back?'”​
Conspiracy theories can only be used in favor of Pakistan, Islam and Muslims.
 
Conspiracy theories can only be used in favor of Pakistan, Islam and Muslims.
The downlow on streets at that time: there was a funding issue for a main jihadi offshoot.

To ensure group continuity, their aim was to kill enough and get killed. They backed down only after a call from army head of state promising additional funding and no further pursuit/arrests.

pakistan cricket lived to see another day.
 
Back
Top