LAHORE, March 18: About 1,000 Indian cricket fans will walk across the Pakistani border this weekend to watch the last one-day matches between the rivals, officials said.
"About 500 Indian spectators will cross the Wagah border on foot on Friday," Sutlej Rangers border force officer Alamzeb Khan said on Thursday. "They are coming to witness One-day International matches here."
A further 500 are expected on Saturday ahead of the two day/night matches being played in Lahore on March 21 and 24. Lahore is also the venue of the second Test starting on April 5.
Officials said some 8,000 Indian fans are expected to arrive in Lahore by air and trains for the one-dayers and the Test, as cricket frenzy grips the subcontinent for India's first Pakistan tour for 14 years.
The Pakistani government last week accepted an Indian request to run special trains and buses for the Indian sports fans. "We are also making arrangements for the Indian tourists to visit historical sites in the city," Alamzeb said.
Room rents have already skyrocketed with all the hotels in Lahore fully booked, industry sources said. -AFP
