Great Escape through cargo gate

Inzamam and teammates avoid media, irate public in Lahore; Afridi, Kaneria and Akmal apologise

As some Pakistani players today received brickbats from irate fans on their arrival, another batch of cricketers, including skipper Inzamam-ul Haq, escaped through a cargo entrance gate after reaching the airport here.

After their disastrous performance in the World Cup and the murder of coach Bob Woolmer, Inzamam 038; Co, who reached here via London, did not dare to face more than 100 mediapersons and irate fans who were waiting outside Allama Iqbal international airport here.

To the utter disappointment of the mediamen, they learnt that the players and officials, including manager Talat Ali and media manager Pervez Mir, had already left for their homes.

This left the people, including some dejected fans, gathered at the airport very angry. 8220;Why can8217;t they come out and face us after the shame they have brought upon us?8221; asked an irritated Mohammad Ashfaq, a driver by profession.

Noman Qadir said the players were not cricketers but robbers who had robbed the nation of the dream of winning the World Cup. 8220;These players don8217;t deserve the love and respect we have given them. They should be held accountable for what they have done,8221; he said.

An irate journalist said the presence of some 60 policemen with lathis at the main entrance of the airport led them to believe that the players would come out of the main entrance.

Earlier in the day, four players 8212; Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Sami, Kamran Akmal and Danish Kaneria 8212; who landed in Karachi were jeered by some fans who shouted slogans.

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The players were greeted with slogans of 8220;Shame, Shame!8221; and some jostling as they came out of the arrival lounge. On one occasion, Kaneria went back into the terminal building coming, out with some security people who guided him to his car.

Karachi city police chief, Azhar Farooqi said everything had gone smoothly and they were not major protests.

At Karachi8217;s international airport, players said they were ashamed with their performance Pakistan8217;s cricketers are ashamed of their early exit from the World Cup and the death of coach Bob Woolmer was a body blow, players said on their return home on Wednesday.

8220;We are ashamed of our performances and gutted because of our coach Bob Woolmer8217;s death,8221; wicket-keeper Akmal told reporters at the airport. 8220;We can only apologise to our people for letting them down.8221;

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8220;No one can understand the pressure we were under because of our defeat to Ireland and Woolmer8217;s death,8221; said all-rounder Afridi.

8220;Our team is much better than what we played in the World Cup. Losing to Ireland was a big shock,8221; said Kaneria. 8220;It was like living a nightmare,8221; he added.