Sri Lankan cricket captain says driver saved their lives

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene. Photo / AP

LAHORE - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene was relieved that none of his teammates got seriously injured as gunmen opened fire at his team bus and killed six police officers Tuesday.

"We are obviously all still shocked and shaken after this morning's attacks (local time) and all very relieved that no one in the team was seriously injured," Jayawardene said in a statement.

At least 12 men armed with grenades, rocket launchers and automatic weapons attacked the team bus on Tuesday at a roundabout close to the Gaddafi stadium in the eastern Pakistan. Attackers fired a rocket that caused a "huge explosion" next to the bus but did not damage it, bus driver Mohammad Khalil said.

Seconds later, an attacker jumped in front of the bus and hurled a grenade at it, which also missed.

"We were very lucky to escape this terrible ambush and we are extremely grateful to those that showed such courage in trying to protect us," Jayawardene said.

The bus wound up with 25 bullet holes, its front windshield shattered. When it reached the stadium, bloodied players were taken out.

"We owe the team bus driver our lives for his remarkable bravery in the face of direct gunfire," Jayawardene said. "Had he not had the courage and presence of mind to get the bus moving after the initial attack then we'd have been a far easier target for the terrorists.

"We are now looking forward to returning home to Sri Lanka to be with our families."

The incident is one of the most high-profile attacks on a sports team since the killing of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Pakistan captain Younis Khan met with the Sri Lankan players at the airport. They were scheduled to leave for Sri Lanka later Tuesday.

"As an ordinary Pakistani I think it's too bad as it happened to our guests," said Khan, who was with teammates Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq at the airport. "I met with captain Jayawardene, (Muttiah) Muralitharan and (Ajantha) Mendis and they have no complaints from anyone. They took it as a bad experience for them."

Khan said he did not believe it was a security lapse.

"It's not a security failure because such a thing has never happened in sports in Pakistan," Khan said. "Full marks to the bus driver who drove the Sri Lankan team to the stadium."

Khan said Jayawardene has a scratch on his foot, Mendis was hurt by glass and Samaraweera was also slightly injured.

"Murli told me that the driver didn't panic and he even gave his shirt and cash award to the driver," Khan said.

Khan said it was sad that such an incident happened in the last test for Jayawardene, who will be quitting the captaincy after the two-test series against Pakistan.

- AP