Lahore Test 2009: Sri Lanka playing XI - where are they now?

It was on March 3rd, 2009 that the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorists on their way to to the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium to take part in Day 3 of the 2nd Test match of the series. It was a black spot in the history of Pakistani cricket as the country is yet to host international games on a full-time basis.

However, it was the Sri Lankan cricket team which was affected the most due to the incident as a number of important players were injured during the incident. Although the players recovered to play the game in a short time, this incident a decade ago became a riveting event in their careers.

On that note, let us see what the players who were a part of the playing XI in the infamous Gaddafi Test match are up to.

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#1 Malinda Warnapura

Malinda Warnapura had a short career after the incident

The aggressive left-handed opening batsman did not have a long career with the Sri Lankan team after the incident. He did not play again for his country after the series in which Pakistan toured Sri Lanka in the middle of 2009.

The 39-year-old is an active commentator in Sri Lanka right now and is the current coach of the St Peter's College in Colombo.

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#2 Tharanga Paranavitana

The opener is still an active cricketer in Sri Lanka

The debutante during the infamous series is still an active cricketer. The right-hand batsman was one of the players injured due to the attack. However, Paranavitana came back stronger as he scored a century against India almost a year later.

Since 2012, the Kandy player is yet to play a game for his country.

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#3 Kumar Sangakkara

Sangakkara was one of the victim's of the incident too

Kumar Sangakkara's presence during the attack was a shock to the cricketing fraternity. However, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman was soon back on the international circuit after the incident.

Having retired from international cricket, Sangakkara is now a popular cricket commentator and was recently part of the Masters Champions League as a player.

#4 Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene is a popular coach right now

Regarded as one of the greatest ever batsmen to have played for Sri Lanka, Mahela Jayawardene is now a popular coach. He has a number of coaching assignments in various T20 Leagues across the globe with the more prominent one being the upcoming edition of IPL with Mumbai Indians.

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#5 Thilan Samaraweera

Thilan Samaraweera was one of the players severely injured in the attack

Thilan Samaraweera was one of the best Test match players to have played for Sri Lanka in recent times. He last played a Test match in 2013 which was 4 years after the attack.

In November 2017, he was also announced as the batting coach for Sri Lanka until the end of 2019 World Cup. However, he was replaced by Jon Lewis in December last year.

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#6 Tillakaratne Dilshan

Dilshan retired from international cricket in 2016

Tillakaratne Dilshan played at no. 6 during that infamous Test match and was a centurion in the game too. He retired from all forms of the game in 2016.

After retirement, Dilshan has been involved in acting and in 2018, announced his entry into politics by joining Mahinda Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party.

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#7 Prasanna Jayawardene

Prasanna Jayawardene was a part of the playing XI in the match

Throughout his playing career, Prasanna Jayawardene was the preferred wicketkeeper for Sri Lanka in Test matches. He last played a game in 2015.

In October 2018, England hired Jayawardene as their wicketkeeping consultant.

#8 Thilan Thushara

Thilan Thushara has played in the IPL too

The 38-year-old last represented his country in 2010 which was a year after the attack. The left-hand bowler has played for CSK in the 2009 edition of the IPL and has not been part of the event since then.

Thushara is now an active member in Sri Lanka domestic competitions for Moors Sports Club.

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#9 Muttiah Muralitharan

The highest wicket-taker in the history of Test Cricket

This man needs no introduction as he is one of the finest to have played for Sri Lanka. The off-spinner still holds the record for being the highest wicket-taker in Tests. Muttiah Muralitharan is now a part of the highly successful coaching setup of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

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#10 Ajantha Mendis

Mendis was in his prime at that time

Surprisingly still 33 years old, the mystery-spinner last played for his country in 2015. He was also a part of the Pakistan Super League in 2016.

Ajantha Mendis also played in the IPL, representing Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors India. The talented player is now a Lieutenant in the artillery unit of the Sri Lankan army.

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#11 Dilhara Fernando

Dilhara Fernando was a decent fast bowler for Sri Lanka

Dilhara Fernando was an integral part of the strong Sri Lankan bowling attack during their prime. Fernando was also a part of the IPL with Mumbai Indians and last played for his country in 2016.

Since then, he has gone quiet in his career and has not represented his country.