Kochi gears up for the much-awaited Indo-Pak face off!

Kochi, April 1 (BDNEWS): After drawing the test series 1-1, India and Pakistan cricket teams are gearing up for the first of the six-ODIs to be played between the two countries on April 2 at the Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.

If the two teams are gearing up for the face off, the organizers of the match are not far behind. All the preparations within the stadium are also going on a fast pace.

Sitting arrangements, ground and pitch work, security arrangements all are in its final stages at the international stadium, according to wire services.

The organizers believe that it will indeed be a historic moment for the city as well as the people to witness a match between India and Pakistan and are expecting that the stadium will be jam-packed.

"Preparations are on in full swing. We expect a good batting wicket and this time we have got a wonderful outfield also, lush green and soft and people can play without any worries", said T.C.Mathew, match convener.

Tight security arrangements have been made for the one-day match between India and Pakistan, to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium on April 2 in Kochi city.

About 2400 police personnel will be posted to control the traffic as well as the spectators. Spectators will not be allowed to carry plastic bottles, matchboxes, cigarettes, placards and food packets into the stadium.


"The kind of security, the kind of attention which is given, thousands of policemen will be deployed in the stadium premises. All routes, all sensitive areas will be covered", said Dinendra Kashyap, City Police Commissioner, Kochi.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is the second largest stadium after Eden Gardens in Kolkota city in terms of sitting capacity.

"This is going to be a historical occasion and we feel that the entire stadium will be jam packed. We expect about 85,000 to 90,000 people. The stadium in its capacity is second to Eden Gardens in Kolkata which has got an estimated capacity of a lakh spectators", said S.K.Nair, the General Secretary of BCCI.

Both the teams will be arriving by this afternoon (March 31) at Kochi.

Kochi staged its first official one-day match during the Pepsi Triangular series between India, Zimbabwe and Australia. The only other ODI played here was during the South Africa tour of India in 2000.

India and Pakistan have never faced each other on the ground before.

In the first match played at the stadium on April1, 1998, India defeated Australia by 41 runs. India again defeated South Africa at the same venue by three wickets on March 9, 2000.

In the last match played at the venue, India versus Zimbabwe, on March 13, 2002, India lost to Zimbabwe by 6 wickets. (ANI)

BDNEWS/1627 hrs.