It came as a shock to them, the game fanatics and the cricketing fraternity all alike. 12 gunmen on the Tuesday morning targeted the Sri Lankan cricket team on their way to the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore for the 3rd day’s play of the ongoing 2nd Test match. Yes, a terrorist attack on the game.

According to Sangakkara, the team vice-captain, “We are shocked…There are a few injuries but everyone is safe and all the players are out of danger.” The Sri Lankan team was immediately flown back to their country.

Reportedly six Sri Lankan players, including skipper Mahela Jayawardene, vice-captain Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana were injured in the attack on the team convoy. The shocking accident also claimed the lives of five policemen.

Incidentally India cancelled its Pakistan tour earlier this year fearing security concerns, expecting something similar in nature. Indian team was then replaced by the Sri Lankan cricket team after the Lankan government gave them a go-ahead amidst the concerns, a decision that hasn’t only backfired but also outraged the entire country.

Reactions have been pouring in from all corners of the world. Everyone nation has condemned not only the attacks but also Pakistan for a lethal policy towards terrorism.

Pak authorities on the other hand have hinted that the attacks were carried out in a very similar fashion as the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. They have also pointed towards India’s involvement in the attack on the cricketers.

However in a larger perspective, this incident has put a number of question marks over the future of cricket in Pakistan. The World Cup 2011, which almost reached the sub-continent, now suddenly faces an aggravated security concerns. ICC is expected to take a final decision on Pakistan’s status as a co-host of the 2011 World Cup in its meeting in April.

Not only this, there also looms a large question mark over the DLF Indian Premier League, 2009. Indian home minister on the other hand has suggested putting off the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to security concerns in the sub-continent. However, IPL chairman Lalit Modi has promised watertight security arrangements for the Twenty20 league slated to begin on April 10.

The Australian cricket board too has left it up to the security experts to take a final call regarding the Australia’s tour to Abu Dhabi for the five One-dayers and a Twenty20 match series against Pakistan to be held between April 22 and May 7.

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting’s career has been threatened by a chronic wrist injury. With a view to get over it quickly ahead of the Test series against South Africa, Ponting will visit surgeon Greg Hoy in Melbourne. The procedure would include a reconstruction of his right wrist to ease the pain.

A stabilising screw in the wrist is the cause of the pain. This is the second crisis that Ponting faces after being figures revealed that he is cricket’s worst offender for slow over rates.

According to leading sports medicine specialist Peter Larkins, Ponting needs to take a break of eight to 10 weeks to heal the wrist properly or risk long-term problems. 34-year-old Ponting regularly bats with the wrist taped and needs painkillers to get through his innings. The screw according to Larkins can be taken out considering the seriousness of the situation as an underlying damage in the bone or the joint around those ligaments can attract chronic trouble.