The Indian and Pakistani cricketers were returning to their hotel after the official dinner at the Crown Plaza with almost no one noticing the household stars on the Galle Road.

Pakistani captain Inzamamul Haq was leading both the teams from a distance. Newly wed VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag were walking with their wives separately. Then there was a big bunch with Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan.

Behind them, Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar, the 'Rawalpindi Express' was sandwiched between Ashish Nehra and Yuvraj Singh. They were walking hand-in-hand like a band of brothers.

It just goes to show no matter what their respective governments think about their relationship, the cricketers remain best friends.

MURALI'S EVERYWHERE
It seems that the Sri Lankans are less interested about the Indians or the Pakistanis. They only care about their heroes. And among them, Muttiah Muralitharan naturally ranks at top of the list.

Not only is he the most popular cricketer around but it seems he's also the most wanted model in Colombo. There is not a place in the capital where you won't see big advertising hordings showing the smiling Tamil assassin.

GO TO CORDY
A Bangladeshi journalist, eager to lose some weight, runs eight laps every night on the marine drive beside the Bay of Bengal. When he met a Bangladeshi cricketer taking a stroll on Colombo's favourite resting spot, the journalist got some tips.

"Go to our new trainer Justin Cordy. He will give written instructions on how to lose kilos. He does the same thing with us in training sessions, which are pretty strenuous at times.

We have to go through long weight sessions instead of just stretching. It will take only a week to get into shape if you follow his method," said the all-rounder.

AZHAR NOT OUT!
There was a rumour that India's news channel Ajtak and its commentator Mohammad Azharuddin would be banned from entering the ground in Colombo.

A top ICC official commented that Azhar's presence as unfortunate, sparking the rumours.

However, Sri Lanka Cricket's media manager Ray Illangakoon confirmed that the former Indian captain would continue his commentary.

"We received a letter from the ICC which says that the matter should be handled by the ACC and the Sri Lanka Cricket. As the Indian board has given the go-ahead to Ajtak, there should be no problem. He will sit in the regulation press box area but neither Azhar nor the TV cameras will be allowed in the ground," Illangakoon said.