November 07, 2007	Wednesday	Shawwal 25, 1428

MOHALI (India), Nov 6: Pakistan cricket team will find themselves short of fans’ support with not more than 144 fans expected to come here from across the border to watch second one-dayer against India on Thursday.

“The Punjab Cricket Association sold only 144 tickets of the terrace block while 106 were returned to us on Monday, which we would be putting up for sale,” PCA President I.S. Bindra told reporters.

He added that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) through High Commission had been asked to give tickets only to those fans who had confirmed hotel accommodation at Chandigarh, Mohali, cities for which the visas were issued.

“The PCB communicated to me on Monday over telephone that only those fans will be given tickets who have hotel bookings confirmed, which needed to be supported by some sort of proof by them,” Bindra stated.

Unlike past when a few thousand visas were issued to Pakistani fans who were at liberty to stay even as guests of people in Chandigarh and Mohali, this time around authorities said fans would be kept under strict vigil once they enter India.

Meanwhile, Indian Punjab Police is deploying 900 cops, besides commandos to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the second One-day International between India and Pakistan at the PCA stadium here on Thursday.

“We have made adequate security arrangements for the match. While one superintendent of police (SP) would be in charge of the pavilion area, another SP would take care of rest of the stadium. Twenty-two DSPs would also be put on duty,” Punjab’s Director General of Police N.P.S. Aulakh said at the PCA stadium, after reviewing arrangements for the match with senior police officials.

Asked if any additional security cover would be given to the Pakistan team, he said: “We have already decided to beef up security of both teams. We will also be in constant touch with Chandigarh Police as teams would be putting up in a hotel in Union Territory.”—Agencies