LANCASHIRE'S director of cricket Mike Watkinson has reacted to the terror attack on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore.

Masked gunmen armed with rifles and rocket launchers attacked the team bus near Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana were hospitalised, while captain Mahela Jayawardene, vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Suranka Lakmal and Chaminda Vaas sustained lesser injuries as well as assistant coach Paul Farbrace. At least five policemen were killed.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat confirmed fourth umpire Ehsan Raza, who was shot in the attacks, remained in a “critical condition” in a Lahore hospital.

Former Lancashire player Muttiah Muralitharan was among the travelling party but was not injured.

Watkinson said: “Sport, particularly cricket, is something that brings people together, irrespective of age, race or nationality, and the Sri Lankan team toured Pakistan in good faith to support cricket in that region of the world.

“On a personal note, I’m relieved to hear that Murali is unharmed and is on his way back to Colombo with the rest of the Sri Lankan touring party.  Lancashire supporters know how passionate Pakistani players are about cricket through club-friend Wasim Akram and Mohammad Yousuf, so this is a real blow for Pakistani Cricket who have been trying their best to deliver International Cricket in trying circumstances.”

Match referee Chris Broad, father of England bowler Stuart, was travelling with other match officials in a vehicle following the Sri Lankan team bus.

Broad, umpires Simon Taufel and Steve Davies and TV umpire Nadeem Chauri were unhurt. But the driver of their vehicle was killed by gunfire and the officials were driven to safety by a policeman.

Former England and Lancashire bowler Dominic Cork, who was working as a commentator for Pakistan TV, told Sky Sports News that although Broad was unhurt he was left spattered with blood after the attack.

Frightening

"He (Broad) said it was the most frightening experience of his life," said Cork. "Their driver was shot and they had to ask a policeman to drive them to the stadium."

Cork, who played 37 Tests for England, spoke to wounded Sri Lankan players and officials at the stadium.

He said: "The Sri Lankan players are quite shocked. They all fell to the floor of the team bus when the attack happened.

"Some of them have wounds, but I think most of them are superficial wounds. I have spoken to (Kumar) Sangakkara, he has a shrapnel wound in his right shoulder.

"The team are sitting in the changing room watching local TV. They are waiting for helicopters to arrive to take them to a local army base and wait for a connecting flight to Abu Dhabi."

He added: "I won't be coming back here while I'm still living, there is no chance.

"I don't think international cricket should return to this country."

After the attack, the authorities immediately cancelled the Test match and the Lahore governor said the team was flying home.

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa also condemned what happened.

Security concerns have plagued Pakistan for years and some foreign sports teams have refused to play there.

The attack is likely to mean the end of international cricket in Pakistan for months, if not years. Even before, most teams refused to tour the country because of security concerns.

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