As per my visa requirements, I must report at police stations in every venue. It has been a daunting task fulfilling that, especially with the tight schedule here.
It took visits to three police stations here to actually find out where I should register my name. However, I must admit that all the hassles of finding the right place and tough travel gets completely wiped out as soon you enter the police station.
A police station is the last place one would like to visit, but not in Pakistan. All their policemen are extremely courteous and warm.
At the Preddy Police station, they offered me tea and politely informed me that I will have to go to their head office. I travelled for nearly 45 minutes and reached there only to be told that Indians need to report in another place near the airport.
A policemen from that station said that it would be tough to find the place and sent one of his colleagues with me to instruct the taxi driver about the exact location. They went to the extent of writing the address in Urdu and giving it to me so that in the event there was a problem someone on the road could help me find the place.
Another 45 minutes drive finally helped me reach the place for reporting. It was lunch time by then and the policemen there offered me lunch. After quickly going through the formalities, they enquired about my stay and even gave me a telephone number if any kind of assistance was required.
Tight security
The entire walk to the National Stadium is lined with a sea of policemen. Following India's reluctance to play here, tight security has been arranged for the match. One could estimate the number to be somewhere around 4,000 policemen on duty. My bag was checked at four different points.
"It is a tough day for us," revealed a top police officer at the gates. "Today, soon after the match, many of us have to be rushed for the Bryan Adams concert to be held in the evening. Karachi is as safe and as dangerous as any other city in the world,," he assured.
Dream start
Dubai-based businessman Shyam Bhatia, who travels to all cricket venues around the world, has made it to Karachi too. Seated in the special box of the PCB, he remarked: "Walking into a Test match and getting to see a hat-trick in the very first over is like a dream. It is a great start for a Test match,," he said.
