The city of Ahmedabad is buzzing with anticipation as India and Pakistan prepare for their World Cup group stage face-off this Saturday. The heightened excitement is evident, especially around the hospitals close to the match venue.
Interestingly, many hospitals have reported a sudden rise in overnight check-up bookings, aligning with the match day. Local doctors believe this surge is a clever tactic by fans to secure affordable lodging, given the skyrocketing hotel prices, which have increased by up to 20 times.
Tushar Patel, the Ahmedabad Medical Association’s President, mentioned to Reuters about instances where cricket enthusiasts scheduled health check-ups to secure a stay in hospitals. However, the Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association has advised its members against accommodating such fans, emphasizing that hospitals should prioritize genuine patients.
In a display of fervor, fans Arun Haryani and Anil Advani were seen adorned in the national flag colors of both India and Pakistan, celebrating the upcoming match.
Historically, India and Pakistan, who became independent nations in 1947, have had strained relations, further intensified after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. This tension affected bilateral cricket ties but also heightened the excitement for matches in multi-team events.
Both teams have started the tournament on a positive note, winning their initial two games. The initial ticket release for the match was sold out in just an hour, leading the BCCI to release an additional 14,000 tickets.
Hemish Patel, an Ahmedabad local, managed to secure four tickets after multiple attempts, revealing the intense demand. The resale value of these tickets has soared, with some going for 25 times their original price. Authorities have also apprehended individuals selling counterfeit tickets.
Travel costs have also surged, with airfares quadrupling. To accommodate the influx, Indian railways will introduce two rapid trains connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
The massive Narendra Modi Stadium, previously hosting dignitaries like former US President Donald Trump and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is set to be the battleground for this intense cricket rivalry. Security measures are heightened, with a ‘no-drone zone’ declaration and the deployment of 11,000 security personnel.
Pakistan, touring India for the first time since the 2016 T20 World Cup, received a warm reception in Hyderabad. Despite the on-field rivalry, players from both teams share a camaraderie off the field. A recent gesture saw Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi gifting Indian player Jasprit Bumrah for his newborn.
The match holds special significance for Indian national Liyakat Khan, whose daughter is married to Pakistan’s Hasan Ali. Eager to meet his grandchild, Khan expressed his excitement to the Indian Express.
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