Famous cinestar of yesteryears Sharmila Tagore believes cricket is more than just a game as it is helping people from India and Pakistan to come together.
Tagore, who is in Mohali alongwith her husband and former Indian cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi to watch the first Test of the India-Pak series, said cricket should be played more often between the two sides.
"It will further strengthen the bonds of frienship," she said, adding that she enjoyed watching cricket.
Among the other celebrities who thronged the PCA Stadium to watch the on-field action on the first day of the match included former cricketers from Pakistan Imtiaz Ahmed, Aamir Sohail and Rameez Raja.
Indian cricket board chief Ranbir Singh Mahendra, secretary SK Nair and senior vice-president and MP Rajiv Shukla also witnessed the proceedings keenly, Punjab Cricket Association president Inderjit Singh Bindra said.
Bindra expressed satisfaction over the way arrangements for the match had been made.
"The original schedule for the match was changed and despite that we managed to put things in place on time," he said.
"Everything is going on along expected lines and even the guests from Pakistan have expressed satisfaction with the arrangements," he said.
FANS
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{{/usCountry}}They may not have turned in the numbers that was earlier expected, but many of the Pakistani fans have already made their presence felt not just in the Mohali ground but outside it as well.
Some of the 2,500-odd Pakistani fans, who have arrived in Mohali to watch the first Test between India and Pakistan, have brought things from back home for their counterparts across the border.
Mohammad Younis from Lahore was busy selling the famous Punjabi "jootis" at Chandigarh's well known market Sector 17 on Monday.
"I have brought four bags full of the traditional footwear and people are really liking them. I have already sold out the jootis meant for ladies and now a few of the gents' varieties in the range of Rs 300 to Rs 600 are left," he said.