Islamabad  - The terrorist attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore has left little possibility for an international event of cricket, or any other sports, for the foreseeable future, analysts agreed Wednesday.

"It's a major blow to Pakistan. Who would like to play in the shower of bullets and bombs?" asked retired army general Talat Masood.

"I don't think any international player would step in the country unless and until the country manages to eradicate extremism and terrorism from its soil," he added.

New Delhi, Mar. 4 : Expressing dismay and shock over Tuesday's terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, former Indian cricket captain-turned Congress politician Mohammad Azharuddin said on Wednesday that chances of Pakistan co-hosting the World Cup in 2011 have receded to a great extent

"It's a very big loss, especially for Pakistan cricket, I don't think any team would want to go there and play now," said Azharuddin in an exclusive interview to ANI.

Durban (South Africa), Mar 4 : Australian fast bowlers Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, who are recovering from their respective injuries, are doubtful starters for the second cricket Test against South Africa on March 6.

While Siddle has left-foot soreness, Hilfenhaus is suffering from lower-back pain.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has already announced that Western Australia paceman Steve Magoffin, who would be having his Test debut, would be flown to Durban "as a precautionary measure".

Melbourne, Mar. 4 : Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has said Australia is ready to host the 2011 World Cup.

"Officially, we are the standby hosts for the 2011 World Cup -- our strong preference is for the event to go ahead in Asia, hosted by the countries that the ICC sees fit," Sutherland said.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) was doubtful over holding World Cup 2011 in Pakistan, saying that the Lahore attacks had changed the global scenario of the game.

New Delhi, Mar 4 : Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal on Wednesday said that Indian Government would review security for the Indian Premier League (IPL) following the attack on Sri Lankan cricket players in Pakistan.

"The two (elections and IPL) are going to take place around the same period. What has happened in Pakistan has also raised concerns. We don''t want to take any risk by being negligent," said Jaiswal.

Lahore, Mar. 4 : Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has not been included in the Pakistan cricket team for the tour of Bangladesh that gets underway from the next week.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 16 member squad for the forthcoming Bangladesh tour.

According to sources, the selection committee did not consider Akhtar for the selection, as he was not hundred percent fit.