Hyderabad, March 31: Cricket mania gripped Hyderabad Wednesday as India and Pakistan clashed at Mohali for a berth in the World Cup final.
Most roads were deserted and people rushed home from their work places early to catch the thrilling action that began in the afternoon.
There were fewer vehicles on the roads in upmarket Banjara Hills, Panjagutta, Begumpet, Secunderabad, Khairatabad, Basheerbagh and Charminar.
“You can’t afford to miss when India plays Pakistan. I was waiting for this match for a long time,” said Srikant Reddy, an employee of a private company.
Some shopkeepers downed shutters while others were glued to TV sets. Some shopping complexes arranged for the screening of the match on giant screens.
Government offices reported thin attendance. Students skipped classes.
Most IT companies here relaxed the office hours to enable their employees to return home after noon.
In companies where change of timings was not possible, the managements made arrangements to show the match on LCD screens in cafeterias.
The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh screened the match on a huge screen at the GMC Balayogi stadium.
-IANS