ICC laments Mumbai tragedy; offers condolences to India

Dubai, Nov 30 (UNI) ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat today offered condolences to the people of Mumbai and those caught up in the terror attacks in the city, on behalf of world cricket's governing body.

''On behalf of the ICC, I would like to offer the condolences and sympathy of the entire cricket world to Mumbai and to India in the wake of the terrible events of the last few days,'' he said.

''We can be grateful that members of the cricketing fraternity who were in Mumbai when the terrorists struck have all been accounted for but what has happened goes beyond individuals. Many innocent lives have been lost and it has shocked the whole world,'' he added.

Lorgat further stated that cricketing activies must continue despite terrorist attacks and urged the England team to go ahead with their Test tour of India if the security allowed.

''Sadly, terrorism appears increasingly to be a fact of life that we must endure. What we as a cricket family must do is to try, wherever possible, to rise above it and show that those who wish to perpetrate evil cannot win,'' he asserted.

''If safety and security allow then I would urge the England Test tour of India to go ahead and if it does so then representatives of the ICC will be there to show solidarity with the competing teams,'' he added.

''And if those Tests are played I would also urge supporters of the game to attend them as that will be the best way to send a message to those who seek to disrupt our way of life, that we will not be prevented from doing what we want or what we enjoy.'' He also pledged to provide whatever assistance required by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

''I have today written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pledging whatever support the ICC can offer to help ensure that, if appropriate, cricket goes ahead.

''I have also written to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with a similar offer of support and solidarity,'' Lorgat stated.

With Pakistan also suffering due to regular terrorist strikes, Lorgat urged all the cricket playing nations to support each other.

''Cricket is a common thread that binds all ICC Members and we must seek to ensure those ties endure. By doing so we will ensure our strong sport will grow even stronger,'' he quipped.

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