DHARAMSHALA, India, 2 March 2005 — Pakistan’s touring cricketers were greeted by rain and the prospect of a washout as they arrived in this scenic northern hill resort yesterday to kick-start their 50-day tour of India.
The tourists, due to take on the Indian board president’s team in the three-day tour opener from tomorrow, scrapped a scheduled practice session as incessant rain swept the area, better known as the home of Tibet’s exiled leader, the Dalai Lama.
With bad weather forecast to continue till the weekend, Pakistan’s lone practice match ahead of the first of three Tests starting in Mohali on March 8 threatens to be badly curtailed.
“We have the best facilities but we are helpless before nature,” said Anurag Thakur, president of the host Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, which is organizing its first international match. “You can never predict the weather in Himachal Pradesh. Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed.”
The tourists, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday, took an early morning chartered flight on Tuesday to Kangra, the nearest airport to Dharamshala, before an hour-long drive to their hotel.
Pakistan manager Salim Altaf told reporters his team was delighted to spend time in the cool climate of Dharamshala, but hoped the weather would not interfere with the cricket.
“We are here to play and do not want to go into the Test series short of match practice,” said Altaf. “I wish the rain would go away.”
Organizers confirmed the Dalai Lama would not inaugurate the tour opener after reports the Pakistanis were unhappy with his attendance.
Media reports on Monday said the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan had told Indian officials Pakistan should not be put in an embarrassing position since it enjoys very good relations with China.
A statement from the Tibetan leader’s office said the Dalai Lama had decided not to accept the invitation by the organizers.
Altaf declined to comment on the controversy, saying “the matter had been discussed and sorted out by the two cricket boards.”
India Prepare Warm Welcome for Pakistani Fans
In Mohali, hotels are ordering prayer mats and setting up special food stalls as India prepares to welcome thousands of Pakistani fans for the Asian neighbors’ long-awaited Test series starting next week.
Visitors from across the border will pour into Chandigarh, main city of the northern Punjab state adjoining Pakistan, for the opening Test match in nearby Mohali on March 8.
The Indian government said it was issuing 10,000 visas to Pakistani fans, many of whom will use the opportunity to see relatives separated during partition at the end of British rule in 1947. Indian fans were given an extremely warm welcome during a series in Pakistan last year and are now keen to return the favor.
“Banners will be put on entry points to the city’s hotels to welcome the Pakistani visitors,” secretary of the Chandigarh Hotel Association Ashok Bansal told Reuters.
“Food will be cooked to specially cater to their tastes and requirements. We’re just waiting for the day.” The 7,500 tickets reserved for Pakistani fans for Mohali are being sold at special counters in Lahore and over the Internet.
People such as journalist Sarabjeet Singh, a Mohali resident who has volunteered to host Pakistani fans at his home, want to make amends.
“Last year when I visited Lahore the warmth of people I encountered swept me off my feet,” Singh said.
