Tight security arrangements in place; teams arrive for second ODI

Rajkot, Feb 9 (UNI) Tight security arrangements were made in place at the airport here as the Indian and Sri Lankan teams arrived tonight for the second one-day international to be played at the Madhavrao Scindia cricket ground here on February 11.

Immediately upon the arrival of the players, a security cover was thrown around them and they were taken to the Imperial Hotel where the teams would be put up during their stay here.

Following revelations of latest match fixing allegedly involving a West Indies player, security for the second ODI has been increased in the wake of the player-bookie nexus reports.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Niranjan Shah said here, ''We've ensured that no unauthorised person is found inside or moving anywhere near the players' dressing rooms. The players have been strictly instructed to switch off their mobile phones.'' He further said that except players and officials, no one, not even media personnel, will be allowed entry to the ground during the nets tomorrow. There will be tight security and strict vigil at Hotel Imperial, where the teams are going to stay.

''The ICC's anti-corruption bureau's Indian officer, Niranjan Virk, will arrive in Rajkot tomorrow morning and join the teams immediately as part of his duty,'' Shah added.

UNI