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March 3, 2009, remains one of the darkest days in cricket history. Sixteen years ago, the Sri Lankan cricket team’s tour bus was brutally attacked by terrorists in Lahore, Pakistan. The horrifying incident took place just before 9 AM local time, during the third morning of a Test match at Gaddafi Stadium.
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The Attack on the Sri Lankan Team
As the Sri Lankan team bus crossed Liberty Chowk, it was ambushed by 12 heavily armed gunmen who opened fire. A minivan carrying match officials was also targeted. The attack led to the tragic deaths of six Pakistani security officials and two civilians, while several Sri Lankan players sustained injuries.
The horrific attack had far-reaching consequences, including Pakistan losing its 2011 Cricket World Cup hosting rights, as the ICC deemed the nation unsafe for international cricket.
Former PCB Director Recalls the Horror
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Bari, who was PCB’s Director at the time, described the day as a devastating moment for Pakistan cricket.
“It was the worst day of my life when news came through of what had happened. Everyone was numb, and we realized immediately that this would set Pakistan cricket back by several years,” Bari recalled in an interview.
“It should never have happened. As a result, Pakistan cricket couldn’t grow properly for the next 10 years, as teams refused to tour Pakistan for security reasons.”
Sri Lankan Players Injured in the Attack
Several Sri Lankan cricketers were seriously injured in the attack, including:
- Thilan Samaraweera
- Chaminda Vaas
- Mahela Jayawardene
- Kumar Sangakkara
- Tharanga Paranavitana
- Ajantha Mendis
- Suranga Lakmal
Samaraweera and Paranavitana had to be hospitalized due to shrapnel injuries.
Impact on Pakistan Cricket
Following the attack, all major cricketing nations refused to tour Pakistan, forcing them to play their “home” matches in Dubai. It wasn’t until 2015 that international cricket finally returned when Zimbabwe toured Pakistan for a limited-overs series.
Sri Lanka, the team that suffered the attack, bravely became the first major side to return in 2019, playing three ODIs and three T20Is in Pakistan.
Pakistan Hosting ICC Champions Trophy 2025
After years of exile from hosting international events, Pakistan is currently hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking the first ICC tournament in the country after 29 years. This symbolizes a significant moment in Pakistan’s journey to reclaim its status as a safe cricketing destination.
The scars of March 3, 2009, still remain, but the resilience of cricket has ensured that the game continues to move forward.
