November 29, 2008	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 30, 1429

MUMBAI, Nov 28: Pakistan’s cricketing duo Sohail Tanvir and Kamran Akmal, caught in the Mumbai carnage since Wednesday night, described the experience as the most harrowing of their lives.

“It is definitely the worst thing I have ever heard or seen in my life,” said left-armer Sohail. “Who would want to come here again after what happened in the last two days.”

Both Sohail and Kamran had no choice but to stay put inside their hotel rooms throughout the day, which added to the frustration that there were no flights available to head home. “We are waiting to leave as soon as we can, on the first flight possible,” said Kamran.

The players explained that they had caught a flight from Karachi to Mumbai on Wednesday morning and were booked at the Taj Land’s End hotel, 18 kms (approx) away from where the terrorists had struck. The duo along with their Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne were expected to brief the media on Thursday ahead of the Twenty20 Champions League.

Both Kamran and Sohail said they were sure at the time of landing in India that they were going to be a part of something special. “The Champions League was supposed to be big, wasn’t it? Even you media people kept saying it’s going to be the fight between champions. So we were very excited,” added Sohail. “But it has turned out to be a nightmare for everyone.”

Kamran said the incidents in Mumbai have proved that terrorism was a global problem and not just confined to Pakistan. “We are here in India and express complete solidarity with the people of this country,” he stated. “We are ready to play cricket even after what has happened because you cannot give in to terrorists.” —Agencies