“It was with great shock and sadness that I heard of the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan,” commented Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka, president of Cricket South Africa.
“CSA would like to convey its sympathies to all the victims and condolences to the families of the Pakistani policemen who were killed.
“Cricket is an instrument of peace and justice, and a catalyst for harmony among nations. The players, who were shot, were ambassadors of these noble causes, and CSA therefore condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this crime on innocent people.”
CSA CEO Gerald Majola commented as follows: “This is a dastardly deed and will have a negative impact on world cricket. We need to address security issues as a matter of urgency. We have to achieve that balance between keeping cricket progressing and securing the safety of our players and spectators.”
South African Cricketers' Association CEO Tony Irish expressed sympathy on behalf of South Africa's players: “On behalf of all players in South Africa our thoughts are with the Sri Lankan team and the players affected by this attack. For the first time in cricket it appears that a team has been the target of a terrorist attack. This throws a very different complexion on the way in which security needs to be handled in the game. Everyone in world cricket needs to pull together in dealing with this”
National captain Graeme Smith commented on behalf of the Proteas team and management. “The word tragedy is often used to describe a setback on a sporting field but this is a real tragedy. It is a tragedy for all the people of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, it is a tragedy for cricket and it is a tragedy for all decent people.
“There is a tremendous brotherhood between players around the world and at this moment the South African team extends its sympathy to all those who have been affected by this terrible event.
“We are hurting after our defeat yesterday but this puts into perspective what real suffering is. Our thoughts are with the players and we hope that they arrive home safely to their families.”
