Mumbai, Nov 13 – Two former Sri Lankan cricketers who lived through the 2009 Lahore terror attack are urging the current team to be very careful after a suicide bomb blast in Islamabad shook the squad. The warning comes as the players face heightened security concerns.
Chaminda Vaas, Sri Lanka’s most successful fast bowler, and all‑rounder Suranga Lakmal spoke to Telecom Asia Sport. They described the 2009 incident – when Sri Lanka’s team bus was hit by gunfire on its way to the Lahore Test – as a “horrifying moment.” Vaas said the memories still linger, and he worries that the current players will carry a constant mental burden about safety.
In 2009, several players and an umpire were injured when the Lahore attack killed several security officers. The tour was abandoned, and the team was flown back to Colombo from an army base. The incident effectively ended Pakistan’s ability to host international cricket for nearly a decade.
This week, a suicide bombing 25 km from the Sri Lankan players’ hotel in Islamabad killed 12 people. The squad first wanted to leave the tour, but after the Pakistani government promised improved security, many stayed. Eight senior players still wanted to resign, forcing Sri Lanka Cricket to activate standby replacements. After long talks, all agreed to stay, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board to shift matches from Lahore to Rawalpindi.
Vaas recalled the 2009 drama and said the short walk from the hotel to the ground feels tense. He said the “tensest passage of play” is the commute, filled with reminders of danger. While many in Sri Lanka support the team’s decision to continue touring, they also fear that Pakistan might become a reluctant host if the squad pulls out again.
Suranga Lakmal, who was touring Pakistan for the first time in 2009, still bears physical scars. The shrapnel in his legs delayed surgery and kept him from cricket for months. He now plays in Australian leagues but must carry many medical certificates every time he passes airport security because of metal detectors triggered by implantable metal fragments. Lakmal declined a 2017 tour to Pakistan, saying he could not focus on cricket after the attack.
Both veterans stress that mental readiness is as important as physical fitness. “It won’t be easy mentally,” said Vaas. “You’re always thinking about safety.” Their message is clear: Sri Lanka’s players must stay alert, but they also need support to overcome the fear that once triggered a life‑changing event.
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