Yesterday was shock, today is anger

The attack on Sri Lanka's cricketers has left the world in shock, Pakistan cricket in exile, and cricket across South Asia in jeopardy. The single most edifying feature has been the dignity of Sri Lanka's cricketers in response to an incident that could have cost them their lives, and caused several of them injuries. But the single most upsetting fact is the role of Pakistan's security arrangements in enabling this calamity.

Yesterday's events and the ease with which the attackers rained bullets and then escaped did not equate with "presidential level" security. How could the assailants take on security forces in this manner for many minutes and then flee unharmed? The conclusion that is emerging is that the security arrangements and performance were criminal in their negligence. A view supported today by Chris Broad, a man known for speaking his mind without fear of causing offence.

All credit to him. I share his anger. This was the highest profile sporting event in terms of ensuring its safe passage, and it had been promised the highest level of security. Clearly, this did not happen. Such a disastrous security failure is either a conspiracy or a murderous case of negligence. Either way it has plunged the reputation of Pakistan to an all time low. All Pakistanis who care about the reputation of their country should be indignant.

The PCB and the Pakistani Government have some serious questions to answer. But who will hold them accountable?