The trip to Lahore, and Imran's solution

There were lots of Indians who went across to Lahore for Sunday's match, and The News had plenty to write about the various film stars, industrialists and politicians who were in that mix. Among the personalities present were Nusli Wadia, head of Bombay Dyeing industries and grandson of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan. Ranjan Bhattacharya, the husband of the adopted daughter of Atal Behari Vajpayee, India's prime minister, was present too, reported the daily. Sunil Shetty, the Indian film star, was thrilled with the hospitality accorded to him in Pakistan: "The cricket board officials have been looking after me very well," he said. "I don't think I have ever been so well looked after even in my sasural [in-laws' place]."

Dawn carried more reports about the Indians being touched by the warmth of the people of Lahore. "The welcome is overwhelming and one can feel the bonds of goodwill here," said one of the visitors, while another hoped that the series would be the precursor to improved ties on the political front: "It is the beginning of good relations between the two countries."

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Mohammad Sami has shrugged off the fact that a faulty speed gun might have been the reason for one of his deliveries being recorded at 100mph. The News quoted Sami as saying that he wasn't too disappointed that his feat wouldn't be recognised: "I don't care much for such things. I would rather settle for more wickets than going for speed records. As it is I was not even aware of this feat. I only came to know about it after the match when my team-mates told me about speed readings on television." Sami was clocked achieving speeds of 100 and 101mph in the 11th and 17th overs of the Indian innings in the third one-day international, at Peshawar.

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The issue of no-balls and wides is one which has plagued Pakistan's bowlers throughout this series, and with just the decider to go, they seem no closer to finding a solution. According to Imran Khan, the answer lies in using a bowling coach. "Bear in mind that the manager, the captain and the coach are all batsmen and the problem Pakistan are facing is in the bowling department," The Nation quoted him as saying. Imran has a possible candidate for the post as well: "And I have recommended the name of Aaqib Javed who has a very good cricketing brain. He is a bowler and understands the bowlers and someone like him could work with the bowlers on it [the extras problem]."

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The News reported that three Indians were caught trying to enter the Gadaffi Stadium posing to be journalists. Talking to the daily about the incident, Samiul Hasan, general manager (media) of the Pakistan board, said that suspicions were aroused as two of them were wearing the Indian team shirts. "Normally media men do not wear team colors while coming on official duty. When their names were checked with the list of journalists to whom we have issued media accreditation cards their names were not found on the list." The three were handed over to the police, who have started investigations into the matter.

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The Times of India caught up with Yasir Hameed, the hero of the Peshawar ODI. Like many others, he named Sachin Tendulkar as his favourite player, while he also spoke about his love for Indian movies: "If Aishwarya Rai or Preity Zinta [Indian actresses] come for the match, ask them to come and meet me."