When terror hit the cricketing world
The National team’s tour of Pakistan in 2009 will be remembered as a tour that was marred by fear of terror and how it haunted a cricket crazy nation. A group of armed terrorists ambushed Sri Lanka team bus on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium, killing at least seven people and injuring seven players including Suranga Lakmal who making his international debut.
Pic by Priyankara Samaraweera
Ten years on Lakmal who has developed himself to be Sri Lanka’s premier seam bowler in the longer format is ready to return to Pakistan to play cricket – a decision he reached after careful consideration of all factors including the mental status of his near and dear ones.
“I still cannot believe that we are alive,” said Lakmal recalling the horrific incident that nearly cost the lives of the entire Sri Lanka team. “It was my first international tour and I will never forget the incident in Lahore. We felt as if we were in the battle field with no weapons. We prayed for our lives.”
A veteran of 59 Tests, Lakmal will spearhead Sri Lanka’s attack in the two-match Test series starting next week in Pakistan but the incident seems to haunt him still, even though he wants to be part of the tour party. No Test cricket has been played in Pakistan ever since, even though they have hosted a few international limited over series in Pakistan with unprecedented level of security.
“We were supposed to leave after the Pakistan team left the hotel. They were supposed to leave at 8.30 a.m. and we were supposed to leave at 8.45 a.m. But for some reason we exchanged the times,” he said.
According to him the incident happened about 200 metres from the stadium.
“When the first shot was heard, we thought it was firecrackers. But moments later (Tillakaratne) Dilshan shouted saying we were being attacked and asked the driver to drive faster. We were terrified. Luckily he kept on moving forward and everyone laid under the seats,” he recalled.
Bullets were hitting the bus but everyone had stayed incredibly calm while Dilshan was popping his head out and giving directions to the driver to get away from the attack. “It was like a bad dream, a dream that I would never want to see,” explained Lakmal.
After the incident the players were not allowed to use phones to contact their families or friends due to security reasons. Special arrangements were made to ensure that they came back to
Sri Lanka. “We were not allowed to call our loved ones or friends due to security reasons and the next day itself we were brought back to Sri Lanka safely,” he said.
But the mental trauma was such that many including Lakmal had to consult a psychologist to overcome the mental scars endured in Pakistan in addition to getting treatment for the physical wounds he suffered.
“I was traumatised for five months. When I saw a police officer or an army personnel passing-by, I had a feeling that they were targeting me. When I sleep, I had nightmares throughout the night. I suffered a lot mentally. Even now when I recall the incident, I get the same feeling, ”Lakmal noted
Lakmal still has a metal splinter on his left leg.
“I had a conversation with the doctors. According to them, I need to operate and remove the metal splint. But they said that I will have to be away from the game if I do the operation. Then I decided to do the operation after my retirement from international cricket,” he said.
He went on to say that if they want to play on behalf of their country, they will have to take some important decisions that will be beneficial for the country.
“If we love our country, we have to take the risk and play for our country. My country is my first priority,” declared Lakmal.
The Lankan fast bowler also expressed his views about the recent Easter Sunday attacks that rocked Sri Lanka. He said that he felt the same feelings that he felt a decade ago in Pakistan.
The attack hampered the practice sessions of the national team and as a result, they were not able to perform to their potential during the World Cup this year.
Sri Lanka is due to travel to Pakistan for a two-Test series. The series will be a part of the World Test Championship and more importantly this will be the first time that a Test series will be held in the country since the terror attack.
Despite cricket being brought back to Pakistan, the players still have their doubts about their safety. When it comes to playing cricket in that country the players seems to be recalling those incidents from the past.
“We toured Pakistan for a limited over series this year. The Pakistan Cricket Board had given us presidential security and they have ensured that Pakistan is a safe country to play cricket,” said Lakmal who had difficulty convincing his family members before getting their green light to tour. Lakmal hoped the security levels in Pakistan had improved.
“There seems to be an improvement in the security levels in Pakistan. We have been provided Presidential-level security for the upcoming Test series. I haven’t been there for 10 years. We hope that this series will be a stepping stone for international cricket in Pakistan,” he said.
The Test series will commence on December 11 in Rawalpindi while the action moves to Karachi for the second Test on December 19.