Bus driver hailed as hero after attack

Sri Lanka's cricketers have Mehar Mohammad Khalil's quick wits to thank for their lives after the bus driver steered them to safety when coming under gunfire on Tuesday.

The diminutive Khalil drove the team to the safety of the Gaddafi stadium after it was attacked by around a dozen unidentified gunmen as they approached the venue for the second test match against Pakistan.

"I was turning the bus towards the stadium near the main roundabout when I saw a rocket fired at us ... it missed us and hit an electric pole after which all hell broke loose," Khalil told Reuters as he stood by the shattered bus.

Reuters