Kolkata: Indian cricketer Virat Kohli gifts a bat to Mohammad Amir of Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, on March 18, 2016. Also seen Shahid Afridi. (Photo: Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS)
Kolkata, March 18 (IANS) Speeches, rendering of national anthems of India and Pakistan, songs and felicitation of former cricketing greats would set the ball rolling at the Eden Gardens as arch-rivals India and Pakistan clash in a World Twenty20 match here on March 19.
The evening would begin with cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Intikhab Alam and Inzamam-ul Haq and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan entering the ground in a procession.
The cricketing legends will be felicitated and presented mementoes with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Tendulkar, Imran and Bachchan will give speeches.
At 7.25 p.m. Amitabh and Pakistani classical singer Shafaqat Amanat Ali will render the national anthems of the two countries.
High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Abdul Basit, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shahryar Khan, Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani, and host of lcoal businessmen and film personalities would be present at the stadium, which is certain to be packed to capacity.
