Former Notts and England batsman Chris Broad has been hailed a hero after throwing himself on top of wounded umpire Ashan Raza during Monday’s attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Pakistan.

Broad, who was to take charge of the planned Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Lahore, was forced to take cover in his vehicle for ten minutes until it was retrieved by Pakistani police.

Notts and England bowler Stuart Broad spoke with his dad on the telephone shortly after the incident.

“He was sitting behind the driver and as soon as it all started he dived on to the floor,” said Stuart.

“It was one of those vans where you could lie down between the seats in the aisle and he was lucky not to be shot. Your heart goes out to the families of those who were.

“Dad said that the police fought the attackers off and once it had all died down he was driven to safety. He said it was the worst moment of his life and he was scared to his wits' end.”

 Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive Derek Brewer expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the attack.

“The first thing I must do is to add my condolences and sympathies to those caught up in this horrific incident,” he said.

“Nottingham is a sporting city and Nottinghamshire a sporting county and it is inconceivable that cricket has been targeted in this way.

“Whenever we run a major event at Trent Bridge we make detailed plans and for ICC World Twenty20 that planning started as soon as we won the right to host the tournament.

"A fundamental part of that planning involves a security plan and Sir John Evans, who has a wealth of experience in this field, has been appointed to take charge of security for the event.

“Sir John is working very closely with governments and governing bodies as well as local authorities and police in connection with the plan and it has been stated that it will be flexed to ensure that it is in accordance with the threat levels pertaining at the time of the event.”