Islamabad - Sri Lankan cricket team narrowly escaped a hostage situation or merciless executions on Tuesday when masked gunmen, believed to be Islamic militants, attacked it in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, leaving six police officers killed and seven players injured.

The gunmen targeted a bus carrying the Sri Lankan players to Gaddafi Stadium, where Sri Lanka and Pakistan were to open the third day of play of their second test match. The police van escorting the team also came under attack.

London  - The president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Tuesday described the attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Pakistan as a "sad day for the sport and for mankind" but vowed that the game must go on.

"On many occasions we have been told that cricketers would not be targeted in Pakistan. This morning's events have proved that to be incorrect. But cricket must go on, it will go on. It's a great game," ICC president David Morgan said in London.

Lahore, Mar. 3 : Recounting the horror tale of the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket players and other officials, Umpire Nadeem Ghauri said that the attack was so sudden that they couldn’t make out as to what was happening amid bullets coming from all directions.

Ghauri, who was officiating in the second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka as a field umpire, said the attackers targeted the bus from all directions.

Lahore, Mar. 3 : Sri Lanka vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, who sustained shrapnel injuries in the terror attack, has said that all the Lankan players were safe and out of danger.

"There are a few injuries but everyone is safe and all the players are out of danger. We are shocked, but apart from that everyone is okay,” The Daily Express quoted Sangakkara, as saying.

Sangakkara confirmed that he and other players Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana had sustained injuries, but were out of danger.

Lahore, Mar. 3 : The terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team on Tuesday in which six Lankan players were injured, also had the Australian coach of the team, Trevor Bayliss in the firing line.

Bayliss escaped unhurt in the incident, but not before two of the gun shots hit the windowpane next to him.

After the attack, Bayliss called his wife, Julie, in Sydney to confirm that he was alright.

Julie said that Bayliss was fine, and would be returning back home soon.

Lahore, Mar. 3: The commando attack on the Sri Lankan players’ on Tuesday here had Lankan players ducking inside their seats of the bus they were traveling -in to secure themselves.

Talking to reporters shortly after the attack, Sri Lanka Captain Mahela Jayawardene said that the attackers first targeted the wheels of the bus and then opened indiscriminate firing on the bus.

Jayawardene also confirmed that five players were injured in the ambush, but luckily no one sustained serious injuries.