LAHORE – Around 20,000 cricket fans, who had thronged the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday where the Pakistan and India semi-final encounter was shown live on three big digital screens, left the stadium dejected and disappointed.
The crowd number continued to increase as the match was being played at the 30,000 capacity stadium in Mohali and by the end of the first innings in which India made 260 runs, the stadium was nearly full with thousands still queuing up to enter the stadium and as the match approached towards its climax the stands were full.
More than a billion people around the world watched the Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal. The PCB, on the directives of the federal government, provided security blanket and arranged the match on big screen. All roads to the stadium were closed with tight security check and even the route from Physical Education College side was also closed. People had to park their vehicles outside the Nashtar Park arena to walk to the stadium.
The PCB allowed public only in the main stands earlier but as the influx of people increased, they were compelled to open all the enclosures. In the city, all streets and road sides where the television sets were placed, a large number of people jostled to watch the game. And with every wicket taken by the Pakistan bowlers and boundary scored by the Pakistanis, gun shots started echoing.
The PCB administration and the district government was not expecting such a big influx of people to the stadium because on a number of places, parks, hotels and even at cinema halls the match was being shown and the Pakistanis were enjoying the game. Reports coming from other cities stated that traffic throughout the country was noticeably negligible as majority preferred to watch the most awaited match in the comfort of their homes, restaurants or clubs where giant screens were erected to attract customers.
Roads and crowded restaurants and eateries got deserted as the match got under way at Mohali in the afternoon. The match assumed epic proportions, with the prime ministers of both countries utilizing it as a diplomatic opportunity. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s invitation was accepted by his Pakistani counterpart Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, adding hype to what is always an intense match between traditional rivals.
Pakistan has never beaten India in cricket world championships, which are held every four years. India, on the other hand, has won the World Cup once, back in 1983. The match was being watched in South Asian communities all around the world. In fact they took this semi-final as the final and even some wanted the ICC to give the trophy whoever win this electrifying encounter.
The match also gave the country a festive like look after the federal and provincial governments announced half day off from all the duties, which provided the terror-stricken nation some moments of joy away from all the worries of life.
