August 23, 2003	Saturday	Jumadi-us-Sani 24, 1424

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KARACHI, Aug 22: The organisers of the opening Test seemed to have failed to do their homework properly when Friday’s prayers were marred by overcrowding of the mosque at the National Stadium.

On a sweltering afternoon those offering prayers suffered because the small mosque could barely hold not more than a handful of faithful inside the premises.

There was no shade provided for those who had to say their prayers outside the small room. Several members of the Pakistan team, including coach Javed Miandad and manager Haroon Rasheed, had to sweat it in the sun just as the sermon was being delivered.

That was not the end of the misery, those occupying the the courtyard of the mosque had the praying mats underneath their bare feet removed as the congregation stood up to offer prayers.

When asked why proper arrangements were not made at the mosque, keeping in view the expected Friday rush, an official, on the condition of anonymity, said that since the entire stadium comes under the jurisdiction of the caretaker, it was supposed to be his responsibility to look after the arrangements at the mosque.

But, as usual, no one was willing to offer a reasonable explanation. These days, the Pakistan Cricket Board seems to have even lost respect for the religious devotees!

A far cry from the past when elaborate arrangements were made to ensure that no one suffered while offering prayers at the mosque.