Sri Lanka players recover in hospital after Pakistan attack

Colombo: Two Sri Lankan cricketers injured during a gun and grenade attack in Pakistan have undergone surgery and are recovering in hospital, a doctor said on Thursday.

Sri Lankan player Thilan Samaraweera lying in an ambulance in Colombo on March 4. Two Sri Lankan cricketers injured during a gun and grenade attack in Pakistan have undergone surgery and are recovering in hospital, a doctor said on Thursday. © AFP

Tharanga Paranavitana who had a bullet lodged in his chest and Thilan Samaraweera, who had shrapnel in his right leg, underwent surgery at a private hospital in Colombo hours after they returned early Wednesday.

"They will need around six weeks to completely recover from surgery," Geethanjana Mendis, director general of the Sports Ministry medical unit, told AFP.

Doctors also removed shrapnel from the shoulder of vice captain and wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara and shrapnel from assistant coach, British national Paul Farbrace, the doctor said.

He said several shards of metal were removed from the neck and head of bowler Ajantha Mendis. Players Thilan Thushara and Sampath Lakmal also underwent hospital treatment.

Mendis, who travelled to Pakistan to assess the wounded before their return, said the entire 25-member squad was medically checked on their return and only six were kept in hospital.

"Sangakkara will be discharged today (Thursday) and the others in due course. None of them had grave injuries. They will be back in action in a few weeks time," he said.

Seven players and an assistant coach were hurt in Tuesday's ambush in the Pakistani city of Lahore while six policemen and two civilians were killed.

AFP