I still have the nightmares of that incident, says the driver of the 2009 Lahore attack

Meher Mohammad Khalil was hailed as a hero by the Sri Lankan team after driving the cricketers safely to the Stadium amidst the terror attack on the team bus in 2009. His heroics were remembered once again as the same team visited Pakistan to play the third and final T20 International in Lahore. The match was successfully organised by Pakistan Cricket Board and the players were provided with the wonderful security. However, the driver was surprised by the stardom he received in the lead up to this game and he was overwhelmed with it.

Khalil was in the driver’s seat when the Sri Lankan team bus came under the fire in Liberty chowk on their way to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. He was not perturbed with the incident and was advised by the players to continue driving the bus. Khalil managed to save all the players as he didn’t stop the bus until it reached the ground. He was felicitated by inviting to Sri Lanka after that and was praised by everyone for his bravery.

It was a sad day for Pakistan cricket

Meher Mohammad Khalil recalled the dreadful incident and termed it as a sad day for Pakistan cricket. He also cleared that he was honoured when the President of Sri Lanka Cricket requested him to drive the team bus once again. Khalil also revealed that he still has the nightmares of that incident and he is unable to forget it. “I was honoured when the Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala requested me to accompany the Pakistan team for their next trip to Sri Lanka. It is so nice that even after so many years, they have not forgotten me,’’ he said as quoted by firstpost.

“I am fortunate to have received so much of respect because in our country, the profession of a driver is never given its due. Though I still have nightmares about the incident, I am happy to be chosen by God that day to come out as a hero. It was a sad day for Pakistan cricket but it could have been so much worse. I have tried to forget the incident but every time I pass through that route, there are shivers down my spine. I am so happy that the Sri Lankan team agreed to make this trip. My only regret is I am not there to drive them from the hotel to the ground this time,” Khalil continued.

The 43-year-old also said that he is hopeful of the Indian team to travel Pakistan and it is his dream to drive them to the ground from hotel. “My dream is to have the Indian team travel to Pakistan and I want to drive the bus to take the team around in Lahore. A cricket tour between the two countries is the ideal way to break the political tension between neighbours. I believe guns and bullets offer no solution to any problems,’’ he added.

Despite all the accolades, his simplicity also came to the fore as he didn’t think himself as a special person. “I am not special. Just that God wanted me to go through a test and I had passed it with flying colours,” the hero of 2009 attack signed off.