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Journalism of Courage
Extraordinary security arrangements have been made to ensure that the third one-day match between India and Pakistan to be held in this trouble-prone venue tomorrow goes off smoothly.
More than 3,000 security personnel have been deployed to avoid any untoward incident during the match and all the spectators will be thoroughly frisked before being allowed to enter the stadium situated in the North West Frontier Province.
Gun-totting security men accompanied the team as they arrived at the Arbab Niaz Stadium for a net session in the afternoon.
“No solid food items will be allowed inside the stadium. We cannot take any chances, even a small incident can spoil the tour which has gone well so far,” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said today.
He also said spectators were advised not to bring their mobile phones.
A large number of security men, including plainsclothesmen, will be deployed outside and inside the stadium with a capacity of 16,000.
The provincial government has also banned the entry of Afghan refugees into the venue.
The city, located close to the Afghanistan border, was originally scheduled to host a Test match but the Indians refused to play a Test because of security concerns.
The decision not to play a Test match was taken after a three-member BCCI delegation, which included security expert Yashovardhan Azad, toured Pakistan to assess the security arrangements. Azad filed his report to the home ministry which directed the BCCI to minimise their stay in Peshawar.
