In pictures: Cricketers attacked

Unidentified gunmen have attacked a convoy carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team and their police escort in the Pakistani city of Lahore.

The attackers were said to have been involved in a 20-minute gun battle with police before fleeing. Television footage showed them carrying backpacks and firing at the convoy.

The ambush happened at a roundabout in the heart of Lahore as the team travelled to play a Test against Pakistan.

The attack left at least six Pakistani policemen dead, and at least five players and the assistant coach injured.

According to police, about 12 gunmen were involved in the attack and grenades and rocket launchers were recovered from the scene.

Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara said he and his team mates probably owed their lives to their "amazing driver" who got the bus to the safety of the stadium despite the chaos.

The Sri Lankan cricketers, who had been playing their last match of the tour, were then evacuated from Gaddafi Stadium by helicopter.

Pakistani officials said the sophisticated ambush by "trained terrorists" bore the hallmarks of the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks in November, 2008, when gunmen stormed hotels in the Indian city.

A bomb disposal expert disarmed an explosive at the site of the attack.

Bags were also left by the attackers who fled, according to reports.

Observers say today's attacks will be a major setback for cricket in Pakistan, already hit by security concerns.

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