News has just broke that at least 5 Sri Lankan cricketers have been injured after their bus was attacked by gunmen during a tour of Pakistan. The team were attacked whilst on their way to a stadium in the Pakistani city of Lahore. A number of local security tasked with protecting them were killed during the attack.

With all the fears that came to the fore with England’s recent tour of India (fears caused in the most by what were thought to be Pakistani based terrorists) is it now time to stop playing international cricket matches in Pakistan?

Until the Pakistani government can put their house in order and guarantee the security of visiting professional sportsmen then surely tours to Pakistan must come to an end. It’s no safer a prospect than visiting several well known African countries at the moment. Representing your country in any sport be it Cricket, Football, Tennis or anything else should not involve putting your own life on the line, it’s only sport at the end of the day.

Some choice clips from the BBC:-

“Pakistan is engaged in a bloody struggle against Islamist insurgents who have staged high-profile attacks on civilian targets before.

The sport’s world governing body, the International Cricket Council, last month decided not to hold the 2009 Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to safety worries.”

Needless to say the second test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been cancelled.