Wagah (Amritsar): The first group of cricket fans, numbering 30, crossed over to Pakistan to watch the first cricket Test between India and Pakistan starting in Lahore from Friday.
According to Immigration authorities, four of the fans went to Pakistan by the Samjotha Express train while the rest took the land route and crossed over at Wagah border.
Three hundred Indian nationals are expected to cross over to Pakistan to watch the action at Lahore, 25 kms from Wagah.
Though the series has not generated as much hype as the India tour of Pakistan in 2004, this is not deterrent to the enthusiasm of the fans.
For the Indian cricket lover, all roads lead to Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has arranged 8,000 seats for Indian supporters at the Gaddaffi stadium for the first Test.
But this time around, the number of enthusiasts crossing the Wagah check post is much lower than last time.
But for the fans from a cricket crazy nation, there is no stopping.
"There is no problem for support of our team because every Indian equal to ten supporters. We are five persons in group so we are equal to 50 persons," Pawn Kumar, a cricket fan, says.
And there's good news for those who couldnt make it last time because of visa problems.
"I tried for visa last year could not succeed. Now I am going to Pakistan to support our team. I am very excited to see this match with Pakistani crowd," Suresh Kumar, another cricket enthusiast says.
The level of enthusiasm can be gauged from the mood at Wagah where, among others, there is one supporter who has come all the way from the US to watch some good cricket.
"I was waiting for this series for last two years. I will support that team which will play good cricket," Kris Bran, a cricket-crazy US citizen, says.
There was, however, some resentment among that the authorites had not opened up special visa counters for the cricket fans to facilitate their travel to Pakistan.
Manpreet, who was going to Pakistan with her two teenaged children said, "I am so excited to have the glimpse of Lahore town in Pakistan and this time I would have golden opportunity for me and my children to watch live the Indian players on foreign soil in Pakistan. My children are also very much crazy for cricket".
Another cricket lover DS Benipal before crossing to Pakistan said that Indian Government did not take any efforts to make available tickets for the match.
The fans faced much hardship for buying the tickets since they were hardly available in Punjab.
Whether the Indians repeat their feat of 2004 or not, in the end it's the game which is clearly the winner.
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