LAHORE, March 21: They have played their part in this series to perfection but their names wouldn't be on the scoreboard and they wouldn't be remembered once the cricket circus ends.

They are heroes not wielding willows or hurling bouncers. Each time they enter the field, two men in plainclothes accompany them. Who could they be? Yes, the sniffer dogs. They have been as much a part and parcel of the series as anybody else yet no one seems to talk about them.

These silent heroes just do their job - sniffing for explosives. It is partly because of their role in this 'Friendship Series', the first full tour of India to Pakistan in more than 14 years, that life becomes easier somewhat for the security personnel.

Although no bombs or dynamites have been found, the dogs continue to sniff around well before the first spectators arrive, making the cricket stadiums all the more safe for everyone.

They make the first pitch inspections before going round the outfield and other areas both inside and outside the stadium. Security has been tight as ever since the touring team arrived in Pakistan on March 10 and there was again a heavy deployment of police at the Qadhafi Stadium for Sunday's match.

Fans had begun arriving at the venue since early morning for the day/night game that was due to begin at 2.00pm. They swarmed outside, some with valid tickets, others without them, hoping that they just might make it.

Still there were those like Amjad Ali, who had to leave disappointed after waiting for hours on end to buy a ticket from black-marketeers. He couldn't find any and headed home saying there was always the television to rely on. A virtually packed house witnessed the fourth match with the fifth and final game also in Lahore on Wednesday.