FAISALABAD, Oct 20: Shopkeepers doing trading around the Iqbal Stadium are in low spirits as the local administration has strictly asked them to pull their shutters down for three days (two hours each on Oct 21 and 22 and full day on Oct 23) in connection with the third one-dayer between Pakistan and South Africa to be played here on Oct 23.

More than 100 shopkeepers earn their livelihood by running their businesses around the stadium and the district administration collects monthly rent from them.

Most of them protested that they could enjoy a day of roaring business on the occasion of the match, but the administration was bent on depriving them of the opportunity. Spectators, too, would face difficulty in getting edibles and foodstuff during lunch, was another argument.

Shopkeeper Amir Ali told Dawn that the administration should provide opportunities to sellers as well as viewers to enjoy the event. “People like us have to face botheration (whenever such events take place) despite paying rent of shops and also contributing to the national exchequer”.

Another shopkeeper, Afzal, said they had to face a similar situation when the last match was played at the stadium as the administration cited security reasons.

Shopkeepers said it was not fair that the administration allowed the parking stand contractor to collect money whereas the regular traders were disallowed to do business.

The shops adjacent to the stadium would remain closed on Oct 23, sources said, adding that District Coordination Officer Azam Suleman had also announced a local holiday.

Both teams will reach here by road on Sunday (today) and go out for nets on Oct 21 and 22.

Meanwhile, arrangements of renovation of stadium, traffic and parking, boarding/lodging and meals for the teams, uninterrupted power supply and progress of different other related matters were being finalised.

The DCO told Dawn that during the practice session and match the shopping area would remain closed and no unauthorised person would be allowed to enter the stadium during these timings. He said the Pakistan Cricket Board had been asked to set up ticket booths at Bohrnwali ground, besides the stadium, for the convenience of the public.

He said local franchise bus companies would operate special shuttle services from different parts to the stadium to facilitate the cricket lovers.

A meeting was held under the co-chair of DIG (Operations) Muhammad Aslam Tareen and the DCO. Mr Tareen told the participants that in view of the Karachi incident, foolproof security arrangements had been made.

He said in order to avoid unnecessary rush, entry to the stadium would start two hours before the match. He said parking would be allowed only at the designated places and no vehicle would be permitted to be parked along the roadside.