05 March,2009 08:39 AM IST | | A Correspondent
Former England captain Mike Atherton has underlined the point that no matter what, no one can guarantee safety to life. Asked about IPL commissioner Lalit Modi's comment on how no expenses being spared in protecting those taking part in this year's Indian Premier League, Atherton told The Times: "I sense everybody will make sure the IPL and other events in India carry on because if cricket in India takes a blow, then it's almost the end of cricket as a truly international sport it becomes an enclave of a few countries here and there. It's vitally important it continues to be played on the sub-continent.
"You can have all the presidential-style level of security you want but even if Lalit Modi promises this, it doesn't mean you're 100 per cent safe in Pakistan presumably it was given to Benazir Bhutto but it didn't help."
Atherton's comments came in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team which had seven members injured while on their way to the stadium for the Lahore Test against Pakistan on Tuesday. It was Atherton who urged the England to return to India after the Mumbai attacks but he admitted that his beliefs of nothing going wrong were proved wrong. "Clearly that's shown to be a little bit false in the aftermath of what's gone on. I hope it's a one-off and not the start of something bigger and wider," he said.
