After 8 years, the Sri Lanka Cricket has agreed to tour Pakistan for a T20I series in Lahore despite fear being expressed by some of the players. But Meher Muhammad Khalil, the bus driver from Lahore who risked his life to save Sri Lankan players back in 2009 during the terrorist attack on the team bus, is ready again to welcome the Lankan players.
According to the FirstPost, Khalil recalled the horrifying bus ambush and explained the entire scenario when Pakistani Taliban militants opened fire on the bus transporting the players near Gaddafi stadium on March 3, 2009.
Khalil was quoted as saying,
First I thought it was fireworks for our guest team, Then a man came in front of me (and) fired straight at me with a Kalashnikov. I realised, it’s not fireworks.
As stated by Khalil, the militants killed the drivers of the vehicles that were ahead of the Sri Lanka team bus. However, Khalil bravely drove the bus amid heavy gunfire and stopped only after entering the Gaddafi Stadium. He said,
The terrorists fired intensely on the vehicle, and also lobbed a hand grenade and fired a rocket, but both missed.
Later, the stadium was cordoned off and the players were airlifted by Pakistani military helicopter.
According to the reports, just a night before the ambush, the Lankan players were a bit nervous about their safety. Even Kumara Sangakarra had asked Khalil whether the Lankans were safe in Pakistan or not. Khalil said,
I told him nothing will happen, and if, God forbid, something happens then thousands of people like me will sacrifice our lives for you.
Unfortunately, the next day turned out to be the worst day in the history of International Cricket. The wounded players were taken to the hospital while Khalil also visited them a day after. Sangakkara was happy to see him and said,”You are my hero.”
Khalil received several medals and cash prizes for his bravery from Pakistani and Sri Lankan officials, but his fame could have become a matter of security concern. Hence, he had to leave Pakistan and move to Morocco and then to South Africa for some time.
However, he returned home in 2013 and continued driving buses again. He is very excited and delighted to have Sri Lanka back to his country for another series.
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