The tourists were airlifted to facilitate their return to Colombo at the earliest following the gun attack on the team bus early Tuesday morning.

"The helicopter will take them straight to the Lahore airport from where they will fly home this afternoon," a Pakistan Cricket Board official said.

Thilan Samaraweera and Paranavithana, who were hit by gunshots, will be taken to the airport straight from the hospital as they are out of danger.