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1,000 Indian cricket lovers to walk across Pakistan border

LAHORE: About 1,000 Indian cricket fans will walk across the Pakistani border this weekend to watch the last one-day matches between the rivals, officials said.

“About 500 Indian spectators will cross the Wagah border on foot” on Friday, Sutlej Rangers border force officer Alamzeb Khan told AFP Thursday. “They are coming to witness one-day international matches here.”

A further 500 are expected on Saturday ahead of the two day-and-night matches being played in Lahore on March 21 and 24. Lahore, the second largest Pakistani city and known as the country’s cultural capital, is also the venue of a Test match starting on April 5.

Officials said some 8,000 Indian fans are expected to arrive in Lahore by air and trains for the one-dayers and the Test, as cricket frenzy grips the subcontinent for India’s first Pakistan tour for 14 years. “We are also making arrangements for the Indian tourists to visit historical sites in the city,” Alamzeb Khan said. Room rents have already skyrocketed with all the hotels in Lahore fully booked, industry sources said. Police have announced “very tough” security measures during the matches. —AFP

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