Death, in strife-torn Pakistan, can come in countless forms. Even in a cricketing cavalcade. That a cricketer can also be a target of terror attacks came to light a year back. Dateline Lahore & March 3, 2009.
“We started from Pearl Continental at 8.30 in the morning. Just as we were reaching the Liberty Junction, about 10 gunmen attacked us. I just kept going. The Gaddafi Stadium is about 500 metres away. So in about 7 minutes we were inside the stadium,” Mehar Muhammad Khalil recalled that day’s incidents, sounding as if it was just another drive through traffic snarls, not a death-defying journey.
If not for his courage, presence of mind, alacrity and devil-may-care gumption, the entire Sri Lankan team would have fallen prey to terrorists’ bullets that day. The attackers wielded AK 47, hurled hand grenades and used rocket launchers. Khalil focused on his drive and pressed on the accelerator.
To save his life, he could have abandoned the bus. “The guest is God. Our first duty is to protect them,” Khalil told DNA in a conversation recalling the incident in a voice choked with emotion, defiance and dejection.
The bullets came in vivid spurts, some of them whistled past his ears. But Khalil was single-minded. “I knew what would have happened if the bus had stopped,” he recollected. They would have killed the players. “They would have killed our guests,” he corrected, recounting the turn of events on what was supposed to be the third day of the Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “It should never have happened.” Khalil is still angry.
Since then, life has changed for Khalil but he still thinks of the attack in which eight Pakistanis died and six Sri Lankan players were injured. “I have spoken to many people. They’re observing the anniversary of the incident but for me it is as if yesterday,” the 39-year-old employee of a travel company observed. “It’s the saddest day of my life.”
Overnight, Khalil has become a national hero. There are websites on his name and his personal email id is mehar.khalil.national.hero@gmail.com. More precisely, he has become an international hero. The Sri Lankan government rolled out the red carpet for him. He was their state guest for seven days.
“They offered me a job, citizenship and everything,” Khalil revealed. “I cannot desert my country.” He’s firm.
Khalil received many calls on Wednesday, some from Sri Lankan cricketers. Mahela Jayawardene greeted him and Muttiah Muralitharan reemphasised that they are alive because of his bravery. He asked them when they will be back in Pakistan again.
Khalil is unhappy that cricket has not resumed in his country since then. “I do not know when they will come back. I want to drive the Lankans again.”
Khalil wants to drive the Indian players too. “I want to take Sachin Tendulkar in my bus,” he said. “He is my favourite cricketer. Can you put me through to him? Tell him that the Indian team will be safe here. As long as I’m there.” We believe him.
