From pitch-digging to snake charmers: High drama unfolded when Pakistan cricket team toured India

The clouds of uncertainty remain over Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 to be played in India as their government’s approval is still pending. A security team from Pakistan will visit India to inspect the venues and give a report about the security arrangement to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

If everything goes smoothly, India will host Pakistan’s national men’s cricket team after a gap of nearly seven years at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on October 15.

The high-octane clash between the arch-rivals is not only restricted just to the field, but a lot more drama takes place off the ground also. Bringing together both sides and ensuring that a cricket series takes place has often been a herculean task. Let’s recount some instances when high drama unfolded during Pakistan’s tour to India.

Digging of Wankhede pitch

Pakistan’s tour of India was cancelled in 1991 after Shiv Sainiks vandalised the pitch at Wankhede Stadium. A group of Shiv Sainiks, armed with axe and crowbars and a can of engine oil, dug the pitch and poured engine oil over the pitch, rendering it useless for the match. 

Shiv Sena had earlier announced that they would not allow the India-Pakistan cricket match in Mumbai in the wake of Islamabad’s aggressive stance against India.

The entire 1991 tour had to be cancelled. Moreover, two subsequent tours of Pakistan were also cancelled in 1993 and 1994. However, the Pakistani team visited India to participate in the 1996 World Cup and the Independence Cup in the next year.

Kotla fiasco

In 1999, India and Pakistan were about to play a Test after a gap of 10 years at New Delhi’s Ferozeshah Kotla stadium. However, about 25 Shiv Sainiks stormed the venue and dug up the pitch.

After that incident, Shiv Sena had declared that they would ‘go to any extent’ to prevent the Pakistani cricketers from playing in India. The first Test had to be shifted to Chennai, where the crowd welcomed both teams with great enthusiasm.

Threatening to release venomous snakes

The second Test match of the series took place in Delhi. Shiv Sainiks had threatened that they would release venomous snakes in the outfield during the match. The BCCI, the apex cricketing body in India, had to hire a group of 20-odd snake-charmers and stationed them inside the stadium. The match was eventually conducted in a smooth manner.