KARACHI, July 6: Extraordinary security arrangements were made for the ninth Asia Cup cricket final here on Sunday in view of the arrival of President Pakistan Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

The sniff dogs with a good number of security officials carrying detectors inspected almost all corners of the stadium about two hours before the start of the match. Outside the stadium, the entry for the journalists was allowed on a special card besides the regular accreditation card, which they had been using since day one.

Unfortunately, though, the special cards could not be issued to the media on time and a good number of Pakistani and India journalists, failed to enter the stadium that caused some commotion. Later, a PCB official Col. (retd.) Zulifqar came to the journalists’ rescue and asked the security officials to allow the media persons in by verification through a check list. Much later, the special cards were finally handed over in the media box.