HYDERABAD, NOV 6: The Hyderabad Cricket Association and the security personnel were caught napping at the Begumpet Airport on Saturday when about 150 Azharuddin supporters held a demonstration on the arrival of the Indian and New Zealand teams for the second One-Day International.The supporters of the former Indian skipper, who has been dropped by the National selectors, raised slogans against the new Indian coach Kapil Dev, captain Sachin Tendulkar and the selectors.The commotion embarrassed players of both teams before they were whisked away to their hotel. The Azhar fans calmly entered the airport lounge without raising any suspicion and kept cool till the teams arrived. The moment the Indian players started arriving they starting shouting slogans, Kapil Dev, Sachin murdabad and Azhar Zindabad and let Azhar be brought back, thinking they too had come in the morning flight.On hearing the news that Tendulkar and Kapil Dev were not there and would be arriving in an evening flight they swarmed out ofthe lounge and blocked the buses meant to transport the players. One of the fans even tried to enter through the driver's window of the Indian team bus. But he was removed by the security men.The New Zealanders looked amused till later on, when someone explained to them the reasons behind the demonstration.The police, who were taken by surprise, managed to control the situation. Some HCA officials pleaded with the supporters to make way for bus. And before any additional force came, the supporters quietly disappeared from the scene.Following the incident, security has been tightened in and around the Lal Bahadur stadium. Two security people have also been posted to guard the wicket.
