This eastern city last played host to an ODI on April 9, 2006, when the final tie of the seven-match series between India and England had to be abandoned due to inclement weather. It was also one of the most embarrassing days in the sporting history of Guwahati, with crowd resorting to violent methods to vent their disappointment.
Keeping that experience in mind, heavy security arrangements have been made for the opening match of the five-match series between India and Pakistan. "We will deploy adequate number of policemen at the stadium to prevent any untoward incidents," GP Singh, DIG of Western Range, said here on Saturday.
Singh said Central Reserve Police Force and para-military segments will be pressed into service on the match day.
The presence of nearly 215 fans and a strong media contingent from across the border has also mandated a close vigil on the proceedings. "There will be a nearly 215 Pak fans, and a good number of journalists, and we have to take special care of them. The presence of some active militant groups too has made our job tougher on the match day. At this point of time, we are prepared to tackle any situation, but we hope the day will pass off without any incidents," Singh said.
The stern-looking police official was not the only one worried over the outcome of the Super Monday clash. Assam Cricket Association curator Sunil Barua was eager to cleanse the stigma on Guwahati as a troublesome venue, and the best possible way, as pointed out by him, was to gift the fans an exciting, high-scoring game.
"Luckily, there was no rain for the last 15 days and that helped us a lot in preparing the pitch and the outfield. The outfield is now lightning quick and I am sure the match will be a high-scoring one so that the fans can enjoy it to the hilt," Barua said.
Probeed Mukherjee, the Board of Control for Cricket in India-appointed curator, paid a visit to the venue and assessed the progress made till day. "Let us see, how the match pans out. I am happy with the work being done around here, and it is fast turning out to be good ground. We can expect a good contest," Mukherjee said.
On-field umpire Ian Gould of England said the match will begin at 8.30 am on Monday for a scheduled close of 4.15 pm. "We have to start the match a bit early because of the dew factor, and personally I am excited to officiate in an Indo-Pak match," Gould said.
Both the Indian and Pakistani teams will arrive only on Sunday afternoon from Kolkata and Delhi respectively, in view of the security situation. No practice has been scheduled for the teams on Sunday and the only official engagement will be the unveiling of the Indianoil Cup in the evening.