When Dr Manomhan Singh had fan moment at India-Pak tie in Mohali

On March 30, 2011, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali was under the spotlight. It was hosting the World Cup semifinal clash between India and Pakistan in the presence of the then Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh — who breathed his last on Thursday evening — and his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani.

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The stadium witnessed a high-intensity cricket match in the presence of two Prime Ministers — who also held diplomatic talks at the meeting hall of the stadium, now known as the IS Bindra PCA Stadium.

The leaders of the two countries had watched a cricket match together only on two occasions before this.

In 1987, during an India-Pakistan Test in Jaipur the then President of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq paid a visit to Sawai Mansingh Stadium and met the then Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi. On April 17, 2005, the then Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh and then President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf had witnessed the India-Pakistan One-Day match in New Delhi.

It was a big day for the PCA management who was at the helm of the Special Protection Group (SPG) to host the most-hyped match of the century. Besides the fans, VVIPs from across the country were here to witness the tie. The box (upper deck) offering the entire view of the stadium was taken over by the SPG and it was from there the two PMs and those accompanying them watched the match.

For the first time, Dr Manmohan Singh who enjoyed every bit of the match expressed his interest in sports. “He was excited like any other cricket fan. We didn’t expect this. He called the PCA president and appreciated his efforts in hosting the fans and VVIPs of the two nations. After meeting the players on the field, Dr Manmohan Singh and his wife were keen to return to their seats to enjoy the match along with the Pakistani PM,” said a former office-bearer of the PCA who didn’t wish to be named.

“IS Bindra, the former PCA president, was surprised over Dr Manmohan Singh’s simplicity. Other politicians could have asked for limelight, but he was a simple man. Had it not been the SPG, he could have enjoyed the match from the open terrace... This is what I thought of him after watching him enjoying the match from the VVIP enclosure,” said the former official.

“It was an honour for the PCA to hosting such a tall figure of Indian politics. Dr Manmohan Singh was accompanied by many regional, national and international leaders, but he impressed everyone with his simple smile and kind gestures,” said another official who has now retired from the PCA administration.

Pak sought more tickets

The then Pakistani PM Yusuf Raza Gilani had accepted Dr Manmohan Singh’s invitation to attend the match on March 27.

As it was a high-profile match, fans were asked to turn up at the venue at least three hours in advance.

A bevy of state chief ministers, governors, Central ministers, Bollywood celebrities and who’s who had arrived to watch the match.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially asked for only 50 tickets, but after Pakistan made it to the semis it demanded more passes and sources claimed that the PCB was granted 200 complimentary tickets.