Pakistan cricket bleak after attack

Pakistan's future as a World Cup venue is in doubt after attack on Sri Lankan cricket team left several members of the team injured.

The attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team has left Pakistan's chances of co-hosting the 2011 World Cup hanging by a thread.

The sport's world governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) says it will make a decision within 48 hours.

The ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said the Lahore attack wouldn't mark the end for Pakistani cricket but it would certainly mean no more top-flight games being played in the country for a long time.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) HAROON LORGAT, ICC CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SAYS :

"I think it's difficult to see international cricket being played in Pakistan in the foreseeable future, but I've been on record as saying that it's better that Pakistan chooses to play cricket in neutral venues rather than not at all."

Until the visit by Sri Lanka, Pakistan had gone without test matches for over a year due to security concerns.

India, which cancelled its tour of Pakistan following the November Mumbai attacks, blasted security arrangements.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) PALANIAPPAN CHIDAMBARAM, INDIA'S INTERIOR (HOME) MINISTER, SAYING:

"It's a shocking incident. It's quite clear that the security for Sri Lankan cricket team is hopelessly inadequate."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is urging the international cricket community not to axe its country as a tour venue - Pakistan stands to lose millions of dollars in lost revenue if it has to stage its games in neutral countries, far from home and its cricket-mad fans.

Helen Long, Reuters