The Sunday Mail
An explosion erupted near Gaddifi Stadium, the venue of the second Zimbabwe-Pakistan ODI, killing two people and injuring several others on Friday night.
This occurred around 8pm (Pakistan time) during the second One Day International, and initial reports were that it was a suicide bomb, with Pakistan Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid being quoted confirming that.
According to the minister’s alleged assertion, one of the victims, a police officer, died while trying to thwart the bomber’s attempts to get near the stadium.
However, reports from the Zimbabwe Cricket camp in Pakistan suggest a gas cylinder, and not a bomb, exploded about a kilometre from the stadium.
Zimbabwe head of delegation Ozias Bvute said the touring party was unharmed and safe.
“There are two main factors that people need to understand. Firstly, the blast occurred approximately 1,4km away from the stadium and, more importantly, outside the red zone demarcated for the tour.
“Secondly, it was not a suicide bomb as the minister was quoted as saying. In fact, I believe he has since rescinded that statement after getting a proper assessment. What we understand is that, in actual fact, a cylinder explosion occurred at a nearby kiosk, killing the owner.”
ZC media and communications manager Lovemore Banda said police visited the team to ensure their safety.
Banda said: “Following a blast, which occurred during the second Haier Mobile One-Day International (ODI) Cup match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore last night, the city police chief met the touring Zimbabwe party.
“The Capital City Police Officer Deputy Inspector-General Amin Vaince said what occurred was a cylinder blast, which killed two people, and that their forensics experts are examining remains from the explosion to ascertain the cause.
“He assured the travelling party of continued safety on the tour and said the fact that the blast occurred outside their red zone means that the security measures put in place for the tour were not breached.”
Zimbabwe will today fulfil the remaining fixture when the two sides meet for the third and final One Day International.
The match will again be a day-and-night game and has again been slated for Gaddafi Stadium.
“We met with the Pakistan Cricket Board today (yesterday) and were more satisfied with their report and assessment on the explosion. The meeting was standard protocol and we discussed the security measures, modalities of the game and the explosion on Friday,” said Bvute.
“Morale is high as the team continues to improve and we will be looking to end this historic tour on high with a win.”
A PCB spokesperson told Cricinfo yesterday that the tour would proceed as planned.
“The tour will go ahead as planned and the Zimbabwe team will continue with their usual activities, though they are not training today (yesterday). They will play the third match and subsequently fly back home in the wee hours of Monday.”
“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.”
