03/03/2009

Ex-Kent Coach Injured In Lahore Attacks

A British cricket coach has been injured when gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan.

The incident happened as the team bus came under gun and rocket fire as they travelled to face Pakistan in a Test match in Lahore.

Five policemen and the driver of the second bus were killed in the attack while the players - including British assistant coach Paul Farbrace - were shot at as the headed to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

One umpire was also hurt. It is understood Mr Farbrace received minor wounds. Five Sri Lankan players were also inured. Two were taken to hospital but none of their injuries are thought to be life-threatening.

Match referee and former England opener Chris Broad - the father of England bowler Stuart was travelling in the second bus. Umpires Simon Taufel and Steve Davies and TV umpire Nadeem Chauri were also on board. They were unhurt in the attack.

Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge said: "Six members were injured including assistant coach Paul Farbrace. Four have been treated at hospital, and Thilan Samaraweera and the assistant coach are still being treated."

Speaking to BBC Kent, Mr Farbrace's wife Liz said he was being well looked after and that mobile x-ray machines had been brought into a dressing room to check their injuries.

"He called me at 4am our time to say he had seen a couple of bombs and been shot at," Mrs Farbrace said.

"He seems fine, and that's a blessing, but he hasn't said an awful lot."

The Sri Lankan team's vice captain Kumar Sangakkara confirmed he and his team-mates were "safe and out of danger".

Mr Sangakkara said: "We are shocked but apart from that everyone is okay."

The Sri Lankan team were invited to play in Pakistan after India pulled out of its Test series following the Mumbai terror attacks last November. Sri Lanka has cancelled the rest of the tour.

Mr Farbrace, 41, has a long association with Kent having served as a player, making numerous first team appearances between 1987-89 and then returning to run the Kent Academy. He was appointed Sri Lanka's assistant coach in July 2007.

(JM/BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 April 2006
Britons hurt in Sri Lankan explosion
At least two Britons are believed to have been injured following a mine blast in Sri Lanka, which killed 12 people and injured another eight. The explosion occurred when a bus carrying Sri Lankan sailors hit a mine near the port of Trincomalee. The 12 people killed are all believed to be sailors.
24 April 2014
British Tourist Deported Over Buddha Tattoo
A British woman has been deported from Sri Lanka after being arrested because of a tattoo of Buddha on her upper arm. Naomi Coleman was arrested on Monday when she arrived at the airport in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, for "hurting others' religious feelings".
13 January 2006
Trade Minister to visit India and Sri Lanka
Trade Minister Ian Pearson is to visit India and Sri Lanka next week, it has been announced. Mr Pearson will visit India from January 16 - 18 and Sri Lanka from January 19 - 20.
16 October 2007
Heathrow Runway Collision Investigated
An investigation has been launched into a runway collision between two passenger jets at Heathrow Airport. The collision, between a British Airways Boeing 747 bound for Singapore and a Sri Lankan Airlines Airbus A340, happened around 10:20pm on Monday.
08 January 2008
Wi-fi Trial On The Glasgow Subway
A wi-fi system is to be tried out at Buchanan Street Station on the Glasgow Subway. If successful, passengers will be able to use their laptops and make phone calls. The link could be in operation by the end of the year. A similar scheme is also being considered by First Scotrail for central belt services.