RAWALPINDI, March 16: It was bound to be a full house and it was on Tuesday. Fans had begun streaming in as early as 8.00am to watch Pakistan play India, the first ever One-day International between the two sides in Rawalpindi.
Only fans with valid tickets were allowed on to the road leading up to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as they queued up in a disciplined manner. Security was the tightest seen in recent years with gun-toting commandos in black, mounted police and others in riot gear on duty both inside and outside the stadium.
Sniffer dogs were taken round the venue in search for any hidden explosives and an armoured personnel carrier (APC) vehicle was parked outside, just in case.
Scores of policemen, some of them with tear gas shells, stood alert around the venue while others in plain clothes were in the stands to look for possible troublemakers.
The city has a reputation for being a trouble spot when it comes to cricket matches. In 1992 when the Rawalpindi Stadium hosted its inaugural ODI against Sri Lanka, unruly fans, eager to get in, were tear-gassed and baton-charged.
Again in 2000-01, when England played, similar scenes were witnessed and the game had to be stopped at least two times. A total of 16 metal-detecting walk-through gates were in place at all the entrances of the stadium with close circuit surveillance cameras also in operation.
"I have not seen such tight security before," said Haseeb Saulat, a banker who has been a regular visitor to the stadium. Hanif Khan, a college student, said that he was searched three times before he was able to make it to the stand. But he didn't seem to mind.
"I think it is good and for everyone's safety." And for the safety of the Indian cricketers, six police vehicles with armed commandos on board, escorted the tourists each time they move around.
