On this day, March 3, 2009: Darkest day of Cricket as terrorist attack Sri Lankan team in Pakistan. It was one of the darkest days in the history of cricket. It was the second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka which was set to be played in Lahore. Sri Lanka were batting first and posted a massive total of 606 in the first innings. Kumar Sangakkara scored a century along with Dilshan while Thilan Samaraweera smashed a double century as Sri Lanka piled on the runs. They were ruthless and went past the 600-run mark before getting bowled out.
In the second innings, Pakistan 110/1 with opener Khurram Manzoor scoring a half century and it was the end of Day 2 of the Test match. What followed was something that was unseen and unheard of before. Just before the start of Day 3 when Sri Lankan players were travelling to the ground in the bus, they were attacked by a group of masked terrorists.
During that attack five cricketers, including Mahela Jayawardene, and Kumar Sangakkara received minor injuries. Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paravitarana were also injured in the attack which killed six security men and two civilians. It was the first time since the 1972 Munich Olympics where Palestinian terrorists killed 11 Israeli athletes - that sportsman had been specifically targeted and it was the first time in cricket that this type of incident happened.
The third Test Lahore Test was quickly called off and the match was abandoned. The tour was cancelled which was a major disappointment for a nation hosting Test cricket for the first time in over 14 months. Pakistan lost the rights to co-host the 2011 World Cup and also teams did not travel to Pakistan for almost 7 years from there on. Dubai became the home ground for Pakistan. It took 2016 for Pakistan to slowly bring back cricket to their country and it was one of the darkest days of cricket in 2009 and one that the players involved and the fans of cricket.
