Karachi keyed up for cricket opener

By Ayanjit Sen
BBC correspondent in Karachi

The authorities say they are leaving nothing to chance

A security blanket has been thrown over large parts of Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi, ahead of Saturday's historic one-day cricket international between India and Pakistan.

The game will kick off India's 39-day tour of Pakistan - the first in 14 years.

There has often been trouble at past matches between the neighbours, whose millions of fans treat cricket as a religion.

Much is riding on the series, which comes amid peace efforts after years of tension.

Paratroops

No wonder, then, that the National Stadium in Karachi and the area surrounding it have been turned into a virtual fortress.

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A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said security arrangements befitted those for a visiting head of a state.

When the Indian team arrived in Karachi, the players' convoy moved through streets cleared of any traffic and included dummy buses flanked by security men.

Paratroopers are guarding the team members.

On the day of the match, the stadium's neighbourhood will positively bristle with security.

Karachi police director general Tariq Jamil told BBC News Online that thousands of personnel will be deployed at the stadium.

Thousands of security personnel will be deployed on match day

Spectators will be rigorously screened. No transistor radios or cameras will be let in.

Commandos and bomb disposal experts will trawl the stands.

Security cameras will film the crowds and plainclothes policemen will watch out for any trouble in the crowd.

Helicopters hovering over the stadium will keep a watchful eye from the sky, while policemen will be deployed on all high-rise buildings in the vicinity.

Searches

"That should be enough for the Indian team," said Sohail Ahmed, a senior Pakistani security official.

We are disappointed that there is only a one-day match and not a Test match being played in Karachi Taxi driver Malik Nawaz

"I am sure the Indians will enjoy playing here. We are here to see that they are happy and safe."

Karachi is considered the most sensitive of all the match venues.

The New Zealand cricket team cancelled its tour after a suicide bomb attack outside a luxury hotel in the city nearly two years ago. Fourteen people died, including the bomber.

The Indian team is staying at the same hotel. Authorities say players will not be allowed to venture outside without prior notice.

Security men are frisking everyone who enters the hotel.

'Magical'

Despite all the security measures, fans are not complaining.

"India has become a password with magical powers. Everybody is waiting to see the Indian players in action here," said Afzal, a shopkeeper.

Others, though, feel Karachi should have been given longer in the limelight.

"We are disappointed that there is only a one-day match and not a Test match being played in Karachi. All of us here wanted to see the Indians play Pakistan in the longer version of the game," said Malik Nawaz, a taxi driver.

He said it didn't matter who won - people just wanted to see exciting cricket.

All government offices in Karachi will be closed for the game. For those who want to see the action on a big screen, two leading cinemas are showing the match live for a nominal fee.