Latest update April 1st, 2025 7:33 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Cricket Terror

Mar 05, 2009 Editorial

There was a time when terror in cricket was confined to the reaction of a helmetless, wide-eyed batsman, quaking at the sight of a West Indian fast bowler hurtling through his run-up and about to deliver a bouncer. No more. The direct attack by a band of gunmen, equipped with grenade launchers, bombs and an arsenal of sophisticated weapons, on the Sri Lankan cricket team in the Pakistani city of Lahore, changed all that. The once staid, venerable world of cricket had intersected with the ruthless new world of terrorism.
Captured by television cameras that were covering the team’s trip from their hotel to Gaffadi Stadium, the dozen or so gunmen first shot out the tyres of the team bus, and then calmly converged on it while unleashing a hail of bullets from their AK-47s.

As recounted afterwards by the Sri Lankans, they were saved by two fortuitous circumstances – their exposure to terror tactics in their own homeland (LTTE) and the bravery and presence of mind of their local bus driver. The former made all of them drop immediately to the floor of the bus at the first blast of gunfire and the second made the driver step on the gas and burst through the intended deadly cordon.
Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, had now hosted two of Sri Lanka’s best and worst moments. In March 1996, they won the Cricket World Cup there as co-hosts with India and Pakistan, and now this bloodbath in which fortunately, only five players suffered fairly minor injuries. But eight persons perished – six security men and two passers-by – and all the gunmen escaped. Some suspects have been rounded up but not the perpetrators.

This attack was a most serious breach of security and we hope that the (inevitable) inquiry into it does not get sidetracked by the local politics. While the game of cricket may appear to be minor compared to the geopolitical issues that are swirling around Pakistan at the moment, we believe that this dastardly and cowardly attack is a watershed event for the future of the Pakistani state.
While we in the West Indies accept that cricket is probably the last sentiment that holds us together, that sentiment pales in comparison to the intense passion for the game in the “sub-continent” comprising of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It has been said, without much exaggeration, that cricket is a religion in those countries.
Because of that universal regard for the game, most involved parties felt, with great conviction, that the terrorists – who have been active in all four states – would steer clear from cricketers. So much for that belief now.

The irony was that the Sri Lankans were in Pakistan only because India had cancelled its scheduled fixtures precipitated by a remarkably similarly executed terror attack in Mumbai. That attack disrupted the English cricket tour of India. Back in 1996 the three countries had cooperated with each other to play in Sri Lanka when Australia and the West Indies refused because of fears of LTTE terrorist action. Sri Lanka was probably returning the favour to Pakistan.
But this highlights the fact that the terrorists’ action has hurt Pakistan more than any other player in the fiasco. In 2002 and 2008, New Zealand and Australia had previously cancelled tours because of security fears. This last straw, which will probably break the camel’s back, is the first game of cricket ever abandoned on account of terrorist action.

It will take quite a long time, not only for international cricket but for every other international sport, to return to Pakistan. Caught in a crossfire of western pressure to step up its efforts in the war against the Taliban and Al Qaida in Afghanistan and a rumbling economy, Pakistan did not need this notoriety.
The best that other cricketing nations like ours can do is not only condemn the actions of the terrorists but to acknowledge that terrorism can strike anywhere. We must urge Pakistan, and every other country threatened by these cowards who attack innocents, that they cannot be bargained with. They must be confronted squarely and taken out.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 31st, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Berbice Cricket Board U19 Inter club competition begins today with several matches

Berbice Cricket Board U19 Inter club competition begins today with...

Apr 01, 2025

By Samuel Whyte In preparation for the upcoming U19 inter County cricket Competition the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will today commence their inter club U19 cricket competition. The competition will...
Read More
Windball Cricket Reg. 4 EBD Jagans Memorial underway

Windball Cricket Reg. 4 EBD Jagans Memorial...

Apr 01, 2025

Supenaam All Stars successfully defend title in Guinness Greatest of the Streets Essequibo Zone championship

Supenaam All Stars successfully defend title in...

Apr 01, 2025

ExxonMobil Guyana, Linden Inter Schools Football Tournament launched

ExxonMobil Guyana, Linden Inter Schools Football...

Apr 01, 2025

All-round Demerara keep win-streak alive with 14-run victory 

All-round Demerara keep win-streak alive with...

Apr 01, 2025

Rietema retains Title against stacked field 

Rietema retains Title against stacked field 

Apr 01, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]