The show must go on - Morgan

_{ICC president David Morgan and chief executive Haroon Lorgat speak to the media after the Lahore attack}

International Cricket Council president David Morgan insists “cricket must go on” despite the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Pakistan.

At least six policemen and two civilians were killed and seven Sri Lanka players injured when gunmen opened fire on the coach as it approached the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore ahead of the third day’s play in the second Test.

It was the first Test series held in Pakistan since October 2009, with Sri Lanka filling the void created when India pulled out of the tour due to security concerns.

“It’s very sad for cricket in Pakistan and for the millions of cricket lovers in that country,” said Morgan, speaking after the tour was abandoned.

“The world is a dangerous place and cricket must go on and will go on. It is a great game and a source of great solace to so many people.

“It’s a shocking situation and we extend our sympathy to the relatives of those who have lost their lives as a result of this horrific crime.

“We have been in contact with our friends and colleagues in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other parts of the world today and we feel for the people of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in particular, at this extremely difficult time.”

Though Morgan admitted the immediate future of Pakistan as a venue “looks bleak”, he refused to rule out the prospect of international cricket being played in the country again.

The Sri Lanka players are airlifted to safety after their team bus was attacked in Lahore this morning

“At this stage it is too early to start speculating on the future of international cricket taking place in Pakistan but the immediate future looks bleak,” he added.

“But situations can and do change. There are parts of the world that are relatively safe today that not so long ago were considered very dangerous so we must not lose hope.”

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat admitted today’s events would have an impact on all future tours - to Pakistan or elsewhere.

“This is the first time a cricket team has been targeted in this way and it has changed the landscape of how cricket boards will assess security for cricket series and events,” he said.

“Even if Pakistan is considered unsafe, cricket in that country must not be allowed to suffer unduly because of this. It is better that Pakistan plays its home fixtures at neutral venues rather than not at all.”

Pakistan is one of four Asian countries - along with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - scheduled to host the 2011 World Cup, but Lorgat admitted the ICC board will review security arrangements for the event.

He said: “At this stage, Pakistan is scheduled to supply venues for the CWC 2011 and only the ICC board can change that decision.

“I do not want to speculate on what that decision might be or make a knee-jerk reaction but certainly this attack will have to be taken into consideration when assessing the security situation for that event.”

Morgan was adamant there was little the ICC could have done to prevent the attack taking place, confirming the Pakistan and Sri Lanka boards had agreed on the security measures.

“The responsibility of assessing and ensuring safety and security arrangements for bilateral series lies with the respective member boards,” said Morgan. “In this case, both sides were satisfied with the arrangements in place.”