October 25, 2006	Wednesday	Shawwal 1, 1427

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CHANDIGARH (India), Oct 24: Pakistani cricket team players offered prayers at a local mosque on Tuesday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The players, accompanied by team manager and bowling coach, reached city's biggest mosque at 9am under tight security and joined people in offering prayers.

Haryana Governor, Dr A.R. Kidwai, also offered prayers along with the players.

The team had earlier offered prayers here on Friday at Sector 20 mosque and spent some time with the people, but on Eid day as children and some enthusiastic youths started rushing towards them, players immediately left after offering prayers.

Pakistan's bowling coach Waqar Younis said Eid was a special occasion for players. It was good the festival was being celebrated a day before their match against New Zealand at Mohali.

Meanwhile, special arrangements were made by the hotel for players by preparing their choicest dishes. Hotel's chief chef said they had prepared some exclusive dishes to make Pakistani cricketers feel at home on their religious festival.

Meanwhile, Pakistan team approached a parlour in Chandigarh for services of three masseurs.

“Two Pakistani cricketers, team's captain Younis Khan and Imran Farhat, visited my parlour and requested for masseurs. Since all players can't come to us, we arranged for three of our best staff to visit Hotel Taj where team is staying,” said Manav Mehra, owner of the parlour.—Agencies