It looks like the cricket World Cup will have an opening ceremony after all – nine days after the start.
The India-Pakistan match tomorrow at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad will feature a rangarang karyakram (variety show). There may be film starts present, maybe even involved in the programme.
The timing is uncertain, it might be before the toss. Or between the toss and the first ball, maybe between innings.
There’s a 50-50 chance that Pakistani reporters might race across the border and into the press box in time. But the chance of Pakistan flags being waved is close to zero.
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is unlike any other and pulls in massive viewership. Both sides have rich cricketing histories, and although they have outdone each other countless times, India dominate in the 50-overs World Cup, having won all seven matches.
Some electrifying action is expected tomorrow. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up for it, while Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Anil Patel said that gold-ticket holders – Sachin Tendulkar, Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan – will be among the many VIPs.
Security has been beefed up in the city and the administration announced that more than 11,000 security personnel will be deployed at the stadium.
As the archrivals get ready to face each other on Indian soil after seven years, nearly all accommodations have been snapped up as more than 40,000 out-of-station fans are expected in the city.
The Pakistan team last visited Ahmedabad in 2012, and after initially deciding to postpone his trip, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf announced that he would travel to India to watch the big game.
Earlier, about 60 Pakistani media personnel were waiting for their visa to cross the border and cover the event, forcing Ashraf to take up the matter with the Pakistan foreign office.
“I delayed my travel to India, travelling only tomorrow after receiving confirmation that Pakistan’s journalists have been asked to submit their passports to obtain visas to cover the mega event,” he said.
On the field, Pakistan had a perfect start to the tournament, winning both their games. Ashraf said: “I am extremely pleased with the way the players have performed. The PCB management committee and the entire nation stand firmly behind the players for a successful campaign.”
Pakistan pulled off the highest chase in World Cup history when they defeated Sri Lanka on Oct 10, and batting hero Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 131 not out, said the team will go with the same plan against India: playing with belief.
India, who too have won both their matches, look well-settled, with their batsmen in top form.
They just have to decide whether to play the recently-recovered Shubman Gill as opener and replace all-rounder Shardul Thakur with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Indo-Asian News Service
