Preparations for the big sporting year-end event

Published December 25, 2012
Indian bomb squad officials carry out a routine check outside The M. Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium in Bangalore on December 24, 2012. Police bomb squads with sniffer dogs combed the Bangalore stadium as part of a massive security operation for the start of Pakistan's first cricket tour to India in five years.
Indian bomb squad officials carry out a routine check outside The M. Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium in Bangalore on December 24, 2012. Police bomb squads with sniffer dogs combed the Bangalore stadium as part of a massive security operation for the start of Pakistan's first cricket tour to India in five years.
Mohammed Bashir, a 60-year old US-based Pakistani cricket fan, jokingly hugs an Indian police officer outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on the eve of the India-Pakistan cricket series in Bangalore on December 24, 2012. Few Pakistani fans had made it to Bangalore on December 24 but one who had travelled from the United States said that it was too much to expect from cricket to serve as a propeller for diplomacy every time the teams played.
Mohammed Bashir, a 60-year old US-based Pakistani cricket fan, jokingly hugs an Indian police officer outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on the eve of the India-Pakistan cricket series in Bangalore on December 24, 2012. Few Pakistani fans had made it to Bangalore on December 24 but one who had travelled from the United States said that it was too much to expect from cricket to serve as a propeller for diplomacy every time the teams played.
Mohammed Bashir, a 60-year old US-based Pakistani cricket fan, holds up a placard seeking a spare ticket on the eve of the India-Pakistan cricket series in Bangalore on December 24, 2012.
Mohammed Bashir, a 60-year old US-based Pakistani cricket fan, holds up a placard seeking a spare ticket on the eve of the India-Pakistan cricket series in Bangalore on December 24, 2012.
Private security men and Indian police personnel guard the main entrance of Chinnaswamy Stadium, the venue of first Twenty20 cricket match between India and Pakistan, in Bangalore, India, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. The Pakistan cricket team is touring India for a short series, the first between the neighbors in five years which features two Twenty20 and three One Day International matches beginning at Bangalore on Dec. 25.
Private security men and Indian police personnel guard the main entrance of Chinnaswamy Stadium, the venue of first Twenty20 cricket match between India and Pakistan, in Bangalore, India, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. The Pakistan cricket team is touring India for a short series, the first between the neighbors in five years which features two Twenty20 and three One Day International matches beginning at Bangalore on Dec. 25.
Pakistan cricket fan, Mohammad Bashir, second left, of Chicago, reacts as Indian fan Sudhir Kumar, right, shouts slogans while talking to a television reporter in front of the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the venue of first Twenty20 cricket match between India and Pakistan, in Bangalore, India, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012.
Pakistan cricket fan, Mohammad Bashir, second left, of Chicago, reacts as Indian fan Sudhir Kumar, right, shouts slogans while talking to a television reporter in front of the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the venue of first Twenty20 cricket match between India and Pakistan, in Bangalore, India, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012.
An Indian policeman directs public vehicles away from the main gate of The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on December 25, 2012.  Police were out in full force in the southern Indian city as part of a massive security operation ahead of Pakistan's first cricket tour of India for five years.
An Indian policeman directs public vehicles away from the main gate of The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on December 25, 2012. Police were out in full force in the southern Indian city as part of a massive security operation ahead of Pakistan's first cricket tour of India for five years.
Indian policemen look on from a tower at an entrance to The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on December 25, 2012.
Indian policemen look on from a tower at an entrance to The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on December 25, 2012.
Fans line up outside the stadium in Bangalore. -Photo by AFP
Fans line up outside the stadium in Bangalore. -Photo by AFP
Fans hold their tickets outside the stadium. -Photo by AFP
Fans hold their tickets outside the stadium. -Photo by AFP
Cricket fans undergo security checks before entering The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. -Photo by AFP
Cricket fans undergo security checks before entering The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. -Photo by AFP

Police in Bangalore were out in full force as part of a massive security operation ahead of Pakistan's first cricket tour of India for five years. - Text and photos by Agencies

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