Cricket-loving Gujarat has articulated concern for Sri Lanka’s cricketers who were attacked in Lahore, and expressed the gravest of reservations about Pakistan being included in any sports itinerary in the near future.

Colombo  - Sri Lanka's cricket team returned home early Wednesday, one day after narrowly escaping a terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan with the team captain paying tribute to the bus driver for saving their lives.

The shaken team was welcomed at Colombo airport amid tight security by anxious relatives and Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge.

London  - Paul Hart was confirmed on Tuesday as Portsmouth's manager until the end of the season.

Brian Kidd will stay on as first-team coach. Hart replaced Tony Adams last month.

Executive Chairman Peter Storrie told the club website: "(Owner) Sacha (Gaydamak) and I have been delighted with how the team have fared under Paul's and Brian's control. They both have so much experience in the game, and they have the respect of the players."

Lausanne, Switzerland  - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday announced that Briton Mark Adams has been appointed Director of Communications.

The 45-year-old, who is joining the Olympic body from the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was Managing Director and Head of Media and Communications, will be taking over his new position at the end of May.

In a statement the IOC said that the former journalist worked for several television stations before joining the World Economic Forum.

Buenos Aires - Retired Argentina striker Gabrial Batistuta has now switched sports and made his formal debut as a polo player alongside his friend and compatriot Adolfo Cambiaso.

In a game that was played Monday in Canuelas, some 50 kilometres southwest of Buenos Aires, Batistuta - the most prolific striker in the history of the Argentine national team - scored two goals on horseback, although he missed several others.

Munich - Bayern Munich will be without striker Luca Toni and defender Philipp Lahm for Wednesday's German Cup quarter-final clash against Bayer Leverkusen, coach Juergen Klinsmann said Tuesday.

Italy striker Toni is still labouring under an Achilles tendon strain while Germany international Lahm has not fully recovered from a heavy cold. Both missed Sunday's 0-0 draw at Werder Bremen.