The blast, which killed two people, occurred very close to Gaddafi Stadium
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
The third and final ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Lahore will go ahead as scheduled despite a suicide attack near Gaddafi Stadium during the second match.
Two people, including a sub-inspector, were killed in the attack and several other people were injured.
Police initially blamed the explosion on an electricity transformer blowing up as they didn’t want people to panic.
“The incident happened away from the main premises and nothing is affected,” a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman had told ESPNcricinfo ahead of a meeting between Zimbabwe, the PCB and security officials on Saturday afternoon. “The tour will go ahead as planned and the Zimbabwe team will continue with their usual activities today, though they are not training today. They will play the third match on Sunday and subsequently will fly back in the wee hours of Monday.”
Federal information minister Pervaiz Rashid revealed that the police official who lost his life had foiled an attempt to attack the stadium.
However, Capital City Police Officer Amin Wains refused to comment on the suicide attack.
“At this point of time its not possible for me confirm or say something conclusive that whether it is a suicide attack or cylinder blast,” Wains said. “All evidence collected says that most probably a cylinder blast took place in the three-wheeler autorickshaw. We have sent all the evidence to the forensic lab to confirm the nature of the blast.
“There was a statement from the (federal) government which came without speaking to us whether it was a suicide or cylinder blast but as a city police chief within 48 hours we will share all with you.
“Most important it took place outside the red zone which was created for the team. So there was absolutely no abnormality inside or outside the stadium as things were moving normally throughout. Everyone knows that it is a minor sort of incident, although it took two innocent lives, but had it been a suicide the casualties could have been much more than this.
“We have beefed up our security and enhanced our red zone area. We have the resolve and the capacity to provide full security to the honourable members of the Zimbabwe team. They are heroes, we treat them like heroes. We are very delighted that they are visiting our country and this nation is very happy.”