Q&A on the Lahore terror attack

1: Why were Sri Lanka there?

Good question, if slightly irrelevant now in the sense that you cannot unring a bell, particularly one which has clanged so violently.

Two months ago, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama, allowed the tour to go ahead, replacing the visit by India, which had been cancelled by the Indian Government after the Mumbai terror attack in November.

"Sport is an effective means of promoting connectivity between nations," he said.

One theory is that Sri Lanka were returning an old favour, in which Pakistan and India sent a combined team there shortly before the 1996 World Cup to show Asian solidarity after Australia had refused to tour, citing security concerns.

Another is that, with their lengthy background of civil unrest involving the Tamils and the Government, Sri Lanka empathised with Pakistan's predicament.

2: How has Pakistan dealt with the furore over their handling of security around the Sri Lankans?

Badly. Images of the incident show one security officer playing dead beside the van carrying match officials. Another emerged from shrubbery once the shooting stopped.

It seems Pakistan didn't fully appreciate the continental cock-up they made of the incident.

Pakistan board boss Ijaz Butt denied any notion of a conspiracy in the attack to single out foreign players and officials.

He said the Pakistan team usually left for the ground at the same time as the Sri Lankans and the officials - "but somehow or other on that day they got a bit late".

3: What was English match referee Chris Broad's reaction, having been caught in the van under fire?

Broad went off on his long run, maintaining he and other officials were left "like sitting ducks".

"I'm angry with the Pakistani security forces. We were promised high-level security and, in our hour of need, that security vanished.

"There was not a sign of a policeman anywhere. They had clearly gone, left the scene and left us to be sitting ducks. I had an inkling before the test-match leg of the tour that something might happen. I didn't think this was going to happen."

4: How did Pakistan board chief Butt respond?

Badly. Butt accused Broad of telling "obnoxious lies".

"All his [Broad's] statements are false. He has now made obnoxious comments. That a gentleman of his stature is saying this is unfortunate.

"He says there was no policemen there [but] I think there could be no bigger lie than this because six policemen died and 10 are injured."

5: The World Cup is due to be hosted by the four sub-continent nations in 2011. Will four become three?

As things stand, that's a no-brainer, but there are also questions over the wider sub-continent security scene.

India is recovering from its Mumbai attack in November and Sri Lanka has ongoing civil unrest with the Tamils battling the Government. Butt has pleaded for time to be taken before any decisions on the hosting of the tournament.

Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting the 2015 tournament. New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan says it is "leaping several hurdles at once" to suggest they could be on standby to move forward four years.

6: Is this the death of international cricket in Pakistan?

Yes, at least for several years. Perhaps the ICC could freeze Pakistan as a venue until things improve. Whether they will get better is an issue far wider than the world of cricket.

7: What now for Pakistani cricket?

A diet of away matches for the foreseeable future. However, they do have friends in the international community.

England have offered to allow Pakistan to host a series. They have solid expatriate support in parts of England, where as it happens they would get more, and more vocal, support than at home. Australia are playing five ODIs and a Twenty20 match against them in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Vaughan has talked about the importance of keeping Pakistan in the international family. In their time of need, they'll get whatever help is able to be given.

8: And what of the Indian Premier League, to start on April 10?

Watch this space. A holding pattern is developing, as players check out the security situation. Jacob Oram has hinted he's having second thoughts. Others might follow.

Indian elections are taking place during the league, with concerns over how a potentially volatile situation might affect players' safety.