Revival of cricket series between India and Pakistan with first one day international match played at Karachi on Saturday has opened new avenues of confidence-building measures (CBMs) with a resolve to promote bilateral relations between the two nuclear rivals.
The first cricket match between these two neighbours in Pakistan after 15 years, was given extraordinary coverage by the international media throughout the world and they linked it to CBMs between the two countries.
Although India scored a thrilling five-run victory in the first one-day international before a well-disciplined and cheering crowd, the people of Pakistan won the hearts of Indian cricketers with their enthusiastic response to the match.
SECURITY STEPS: Extra-ordinary security measures were made by the security agencies for this one day in Karachi, which refuted all allegations about the crowd and overall law and order situation in Pakistan.
Police and security officials were relieved after thousands of fans in restive Karachi behaved themselves when India pulled off a sensational win over Pakistan.