ABU DHABI: Umpire Ahsan Raza, who was criticially injured during the attacks on the Sri Lankan team on March 3, returned to international cricket in the third one-day between Pakistan and New Zealand here on Monday.

“I am thrilled and exited to no end,” Raza said. “Today I am alive, and making a return to international cricket is very sensational for me and makes my belief in the Almighty stronger.” The 35-year-old, who is a reserve umpire in the match here, had to undergo surgery to repair a collapsed right lung and a damaged liver after being shot when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.

The team bus and the van of the officials were ambushed when they were travelling to the Gaddafi Stadium. Seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach were injured besides killing eight people, including the driver of the van.

Raza remained in the intensive care unit for 26 days and needed two-dozen bottles of blood to survive. “It was a miracle that I survived, because of the prayers of my wife, my daughters and my people. Doctors are surprised that I am now fit to stand in international cricket,” said Raza, who returned to first-class cricket two months ago.