Debasis Sen, Birmingham: Some 30 odd Kashmiri’s were seen protesting outside the Edgbaston cricket ground on Sunday, demanding Free Kashmir. The group were with anti India banners and posters and gave slogans for a Free Kashmir. Some even shouted anti-India slogans. Few of them were also heard shouting “Go India Go” slogans.
The group were seen shouting anti-India slogans as the Indian team bus entered the stadium. Some were seen rushing towards the team coach. The question was how the fans can be allowed to get so closer to the team bus with the Indian cricketers. The group somehow managed to sneak in front of the heavy security arrangements. Fortunately no untoward incident happened as the protesters were seen protesting peacefully.
Fans from both the countries were in huge numbers supporting their favourite cricketers. There was tight security following the unfortunate terror incident in London that saw six people being killed. The entire arena around Edgbaston cricket ground was cordoned off by the Midlands Police.
Hundreds of fans were seen turning up for the ground since the morning. The fans were in their jerseys while few among them were dressed especially for the occasion.
A huge group of Bharat Army were with their drums and were doing some bhangra in front of the main stadium.
While the match is expected to be a fiery affair on the pitch, it will be just as tense and closely fought in the stands; with both Pakistani and Indian fans coming out in numbers at the Edgbaston Cricket Grounds.
Fans gathered at the iconic stadium well before the match, with crowds starting to gather outside it as much as three hours before the scheduled start. Clad in blue or green — depending on the team they supported — the fans were in fine voice as they shouted slogans such as Pakistan Zindabad and Jetega bhai jeetega, India jeetega along with the names of their favourite players.