Young Pakistan cricket team in city, bat for Chennai’s charm

The cricketers, from Pakistan Customs Academy in Karachi, were in Chennai to play an invitational under-15 tournament organised by the Cricket Federation of India, an association that does not come under the auspices of the legal cricketing body, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. 

A police officer who was entrusted with the overall security arrangements for the team at the ground said they were under orders to keep the visit under wraps. “We have three police teams here. Any visitor from Pakistan have to be very carefully escorted. We don’t fancy any trouble. 

However we aren’t supposed to take any chances,” he added. The visit, kept under wraps by the police and the organisers, did not dampen the spirit of the enthusiastic bunch from the neighbouring country. They said the visit to Chennai was more thrilling than their win. From enjoying the shores of the Marina to savouring masala dosa, the players got a taste of Chennai, even though a nondescript tournament is the reason for their visit. 

While the organisers were tight-lipped about the tournament citing security reasons, the team manager Hassan Ahmed said there was no room for fear among the team. “We have been welcomed with open arms. We have been provided with a round-the-clock security. We have not felt out of place at all,” Ahmed said. 

The coach added that every step of theirs is being monitored closely. “The police are in the know of every activity of ours. Having been in the city for four days, I can vouch that no one knows we are from Pakistan. All our faces are the same,” he said with a laugh. The Pakistan Customs skipper Rameel Aftab Channar said he was charmed by the city. 

“It is lovely to be in a city as attractive as Chennai. Playing cricket in this beautiful city has only increased the adrenalin rush in us. The fun is always different when playing in India,” Channar added. 

With police in tow, the team made time to visit a few landmark spots in the city. “We visited the lighthouse and the beach one evening. The views of the city from the top of the lighthouse was stunning. We were under orders from our management that we should not venture out alone. We had to be with the police, who soon became our friends. They spoke Hindi. We told them stories about Pakistan and they shared stories about India. It has been a great experience. Each day gives us an experience equal to a year,” Channar added. 

Staying in a hotel on the outskirts of the city, Channar said their taste buds have been treated to a sumptuous Chennai cuisine. “We love the masala dosa with sambhar, but our favourite has been the paneer dishes and chicken with loads of shimla mirch (capsicum),” he added.