Date:13/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/13/stories/2007111369961900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Pakistan players skip Uthappa’s party

— Photo: PTI

BIRTHDAY BASH: Yuvraj smears cake on Uthappa’s face during his birthday celebrations.

Lucknow: Pakistan cricket players stayed away from the birthday party of Indian batsman Robin Uthappa here on Sunday, leaving room for speculations whether it had a connection with the on-field verbal duel between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi during the third ODI in Kanpur.

The two teams arrived here at the ‘Sahara Shahar’ after the match.

Indian players including skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni attended the party, organised at the main hall of the Sahara Shahar.

The Pakistan players went straight to their rooms after arriving here.

When asked about their absence, a senior Sahara official said that the players were very tired.

“They are here to relax and enjoy...they must have been very tired,” he said. — PTI