Even as Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar continued to bamboozle Inzamam's men on the field, Pakistani officials are desperately searching for answers to explain the empty stands during the first cricket Test being played in Multan.
The poor response from the public over the first three days of the Test match has been a stark contrast to the carnival atmosphere that prevailed during the five match one-day series when thousands of Indian fans crossed the border and mingled with the Pakistanis to cheer the two teams.
Hot weather, school examinations, exorbitant ticket prices, and above all the speculation of fixed matches are being attributed as the reasons for the public staying away from the first Test between the countries on Pakistan soil in nearly 15 years.
"There is a problem with general perception in the public that the results are predetermined," Multan's District Coordination Officer Mohammad Ejaz Chaudhary said.
In an effort to encourage the teenagers to come and watch the match, it was decided to give free entry to school children in the coming days.
"We are hoping it will get the students to pester their parents to send them to the ground," Chaudhary said.
Unprecedented security was also causing problems for the spectators. Traffic diversions have meant that fans have to walk six miles from the parking area to the stadium.
"For the general public, we are going to reduce the security hazard slightly. Buses will be allowed to come closer to the venue," Chaudhary said.
