Umpire Bowden shaken by Lahore terror attack

Wellington, Mar.8 (ANI): New Zealand cricket umpire Billy Bowden has said the very thought of being inside the umpires' mini-van that was sprayed by bullets during the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore last week, still sends shivers down his body.

Bowden said he could have been given duty for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka series, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) appointed him for the South Africa-Australia series.

"It's a sobering thought," stuff.com quoted Bowden, as saying.

Recollecting the television grabs of the attack, he expressed happiness that all officials had escaped unhurt, barring fourth umpire Ahsan Raza.

Raza is still recuperating in hospital. His condition is said to be serious, but stable.

"It is impossible to imagine the enormity of what the officials in that mini-van went through. I am just thankful that the officials in there emerged physically unscathed and that the news of the one umpire who was seriously injured, Ahsan Raza, appears to be more encouraging," Bowden said.

He also supported match referee Chris Broad and umpire Simon Taufel's stance over the security issue.

Both Broad and Taufel have expressed their unhappiness about the security arrangements made for the whole convoy.

Bowden said he would continue to officiate in matches played in India and other sub-continent countries except, Pakistan.

"The incident happened in Pakistan, not one of the other three countries, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on the sub-continent. I have to have faith in the ICC. If they say it is safe to go and umpire in a particular place then I have to believe in that view," he added.

About the 2011 World Cup, whose future hangs in uncertainty following the terror attack, Bowden said the ICC would take the right decision in this regard. (ANI)