Big Brother in Pakistan

Have you ever felt like you are being watched? You ain’t seen nothing yet!

I have been in Pakistan for a week and every single move has been scrutinised. If not from cricket crazed and cricket starved fans, it’s been from the eagle-eyed security personnel.

They are everywhere, from hotel floors to foyers, to breakfast rooms to parking lots, and of course everywhere at the playing venues.

Now let me clearly state that I am not saying that is a bad thing. An armed escort always materialises out of nowhere as you make your way to the ground and they are always armed with either an AK47 or a semi automatic machine gun that was first produced in China in 1956 called an Agarzee.

During the first three games the troops numbered 2500 on each day along with another 100 stern and sinister looking elite force commandos.

In addition another 200 plainclothes policemen were posted at key areas to counter any eventuality.

Bomb experts with dogs are continually combing the hotels and the stadiums long before the players arrive.

Before the last game in Faisalabad my pitch report was upheld for 10 minutes as a minesweeper was used to scan the pitch!

The chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board Rameez Raja promised state security and VIP treatment and his world has proved correct.

At times it has been a little over the top, but it is very effective so far.

My one gripe is that the rangers and policemen at the venues could be a little more proactive during playing hours.

Most of them simply stand and watch the game and already there has been separate incidents that have seen three South Africans nearly hit by objects hurled at them with great force, and I fear that could escalate as the tour progresses.

The missiles were not launched from the stands, though. The 'perpetrator' was Shoaib Akhtar...