Impact of terror attacks on Pakistan: Younis


Pakistan captain Younus Khan has admitted life beyond the boundary in his troubled homeland was having an effect on his side.

In March this year an armed attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore led to the suspension of international cricket in Pakistan.

And on Tuesday at least nine people were killed when an explosives-laden truck was driven into the Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar - middle-order batsman Younus's home town.

Friday will see Pakistan play Sri Lanka for the first time since the Lahore attack when the Asian nations meet here at Lord's for the opening game of their Super Eights programme at the World Twenty20.

"After the Sri Lanka incident it was really hard for us because this was the first time something like that had happened with cricket," Khan told reporters at Lord's on Thursday.

"There was a bomb in Peshawar, that's my hometown. You think about what's happening in Pakistan. You are a human being and it is affecting our performances as well.

"In Pakistan we have a lot of controversy, especially in the last four or five years. So I think it is hard for us to focus."

Meanwhile Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara said his team could strike a crucial blow for unity in the island nation at the World Twenty20.

The squad were delayed getting into Nottingham's Trent Bridge ground for their match against Australia this week by pro-Tamil demonstrators protesting against the way Sri Lanka's civil war had been ended.

But Sangakkara was keen to stress how his side represented all sections of Sri Lankan society.

"I have always said that our team is a representation of a mini Sri Lanka. The entire country is represented and each of them is proud about the game they play and the team that they play for."

Sri Lanka, unbeaten at the tournament so far after wins over Australia and the West Indies.

Wicket-keeper batsman Sangakarra insisted the events of March would have no bearing on Friday's fixture. "Lahore is Lahore and that's in the past and we are here to play a fresh game of cricket," he said.