Delhi Dossier (World Cup Diary)

Pakistan forward Rehan Butt said it was a wonderful experience visiting the famous Jama Masjid, near Chandni Chowk on Saturday, despite the water-tight security arrangements.

Pakistan are never left alone

Pakistan forward Rehan Butt said it was a wonderful experience visiting the famous Jama Masjid, near Chandni Chowk on Saturday, despite the water-tight security arrangements. There were a couple of police vans accompanying the entourage besides armed guards in the team bus too. As though that wasn't enough, a host of cops welcomed the visitors at the Masjid. "Many of our players are youngsters and are visiting India for the first time. We have all been wanting to visit the Jama Masjid for quite some time but couldn't due to stringent security. Finally, we were glad to go there on Saturday. Though I have been there a few times on previous visits, it's a unique and fulfilling experience each time," Butt told MiD DAY.

Now, no pens in the stands!
The Delhi cops have come up with yet another diktat on the pretext of security. They have decided not to allow pens into the stands. Mumbai Customs coach Mukul Pandey, who is here to pursue his FIH Masters Coaching course, had a tough time convincing the cops that he needed to make notes of the ongoing matches as part of his course at the very venue. "They were just not willing to listen to us before we made a few phone calls and finally managed to convince some senior cops that we are here as part of an FIH programme. They were hesitant, but finally relented," Pandey told MiD DAY.

The umpire is not always Wright!
The South African umpire officiating in the Australia-Spain match on Saturday made a couple of erroneous calls that didn't go down too well with a bunch of Aussie fans in the Heritage Stand of the Dhyan Chand Stadium . "You've got it all wrong, Mr Wright," one of them yelled even as the rest broke into laughter.