Protests on but Pak happy in the stadium

While the Pakistan women’s team is lodged up at the Barabati Stadium, the local cricket association, the Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) says it is ensuring the best facilities.

While the Pakistan women’s team is lodged up at the Barabati Stadium, the local cricket association, the Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) says it is ensuring the best facilities.

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“They are not going out because of security reasons. Facilities at the club house match those at five-star hotels,” said Aasirbad Behera, secretary of Orissa Cricket Association.

A district police officer said, “Every day there are demonstrations outside the stadium or elsewhere in the city. This is happening since January 23.”

Police arrested 34 activists of a small political party on Friday after they shouted slogans against the Pakistan team outside the stadium clubhouse, taking the total arrests in the city in such protests to 300.

Behera said cultural programmes are being organised in the stadium daily to entertain the players and adequate security arrangements have been made.

“We don't mind the accommodation. We are not here to stay in five-star hotels. We are here to play cricket and we are comfortable (in the clubhouse),” Pak captain Sana Mir said.