2 killed in suicide blast

Lahore: A suicide bomber got within striking distance of Gaddafi stadium where over 20,000 people were watching a Pakistan-Zimbabwe ODI but was foiled by a policeman, who along with a civilian, was killed when the militant blew himself up. Security concerns were raised as the touring Zimbabwe team is the first international cricket team to visit Pakistan since the Taliban attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009 near the same stadium here that injured six team members. During the day-night match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe here, the bomber blew himself up while riding a rickshaw at 9 PM near Kalma Chowk less than a kilometre away from the cricketing venue. Four persons were initially rushed to a nearby hospital where sub-inspector Abdul Majid was pronounced dead. A total 10 people were injured in the attack. Soon after the blast, the Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement, saying it was a "power transformer blast" that was caused by malfunctioning. Police cordoned off the area and no one, including the media, was allowed to enter the blast site. There were two persons killed in the explosion, he said, adding that it would be premature to say that it was a "suicide attack". PCB spokesman Agha Akbar told PTI that the Zimbabwe team is continuing the tour and will play the last ODI as planned tomorrow.