Colombo, February 14 Special security arrangements will be in place ahead of the crucial India-Pakistan cricket match at a Colombo stadium on Sunday, the Sri Lanka police said on Saturday.
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will clash in a T20 World Cup match at the Premadasa Stadium here on Sunday.
Sri Lankan authorities said that no chances would be taken regarding the security aspect of the event. "We, the Sri Lanka police, have organized a very special traffic and security arrangement," police spokesman F T Wootler told reporters.
The match takes place after weeks of uncertainty, following a Pakistani announcement of a boycott to show solidarity with Bangladesh. Intense negotiations involved the International Cricket Council (ICC), Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Even the Sri Lankan government appealed to Pakistan to reconsider their decision, given the potential large losses that may be incurred in the arrangements already made as co-hosts of the tournament.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to persuade him to have his team come to Colombo to complete the match.
This would be India's first match outside their home country in the tournament.
The security arrangements for the match became uncertain during the weeks of uncertainty that prevailed due to Pakistan's intent to boycott the game.
Earlier, the government had stated that the highest priority was given to security arrangements to ensure that no untoward incidents occur during the clash of the bitter rivals.
Security officials will deploy armed guards "from the time they (teams) step out of the airport. They will be provided armed guards until they return to their aircraft," Wootler said.
Spectators are requested to arrive four hours early for the 7 pm start. "All the gates will be opened by 3 pm. We request the public to arrive at the ground as early as possible," Wootler added.
