March 3, 2009: Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists in Pakistan. This was similar to the 26/11 attack in Mumbai where two hotels and a residence were held by the terrorist.
Sri Lanka toured Pakistan for a two-test and 3-ODI series. Sri Lanka won the ODI series 2-1 with first ODI won by Pakistan and the remaining two matches by Sri Lanka.
The first test played in Karachi was drawn and the second test scheduled in Lahore. Sri Lanka scored 606 in the first innings and Pakistan were 110 for 1 at the end of day 2. The Sri Lankan team was travelling in the bus from the hotel to the ground to start day 3.
Due to the terror threat, the route from the hotel to the ground was changed everyday. The Pakistan team started 10 minutes later in the same route to the Gaddafi stadium.
When the sri Lankan team was on the way to the ground, their bus was attacked by 12 armed terrorists near Liberty market, Habibur Rehman, chief commissioner of police, said. A grenade was also thrown at the bus but it missed.
"The bus came under attack as we were driving to the stadium, the gunmen targeted the wheels of the bus first and then the bus," Mahela Jayawardene said. "We all dived to the floor to take cover. About five players have been injured and also Paul Farbrace [a member of the support staff]…"
The tour was immediately called-off and the team has decided to go back to Sri Lanka.
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