debut: Feb 8, '03
13,953 runs
I don’t wish to be treated special. Just tell me what my boundaries are and I will comply. Well, today, in my own (adopted) country, I got the shock of my life during an encounter with an ICC official.
As I usually do at cricket matches, I walk around the perimeter and take photos of the pre-game warm ups. Normal practice. I did it in Antigua, no problem. This morning, I left the Press Box, headed west where I encountered two Security Officers. They asked to see my pass. I complied and they waved me through. I walked in front of the Player’s area to the other side, where I encountered an obviously more senior Police Officer who asked me what I was doing in this area. I explained that I was going to take some photos, and he said I should not be in that area. I told him that his colleagues on the other side of the players’ area had allowed me through and he said they shouldn’t have. Fair enough.
So we are having a cordial discussion and I am in the process of returning from whence I came, while suggesting…and he agreeing with me…that he should let his colleagues know, when lo and behold, a tall fair skinned man walks aggressively towards me and the senior officer.
“What are you doing here?” he asked in a harsh tone. I explained that the officer was just telling me I shouldn’t be there but that the other security officers had let me through. “Get out of here! You shouldn’t be here!” he shouted. “Just leave this area,” he continued, to my utter shock and disbelief. I glanced down on his accreditation pass. Duly noted.
I certainly don’t have a problem being turned back, even though I had got earlier clearance from the Security Officers to pass. But I’d like to tell Lt Col Nuruddin Khawaja…..don’t you come into my country and speak to me like I’m some pothound dog! I’m a pedigree!
As I usually do at cricket matches, I walk around the perimeter and take photos of the pre-game warm ups. Normal practice. I did it in Antigua, no problem. This morning, I left the Press Box, headed west where I encountered two Security Officers. They asked to see my pass. I complied and they waved me through. I walked in front of the Player’s area to the other side, where I encountered an obviously more senior Police Officer who asked me what I was doing in this area. I explained that I was going to take some photos, and he said I should not be in that area. I told him that his colleagues on the other side of the players’ area had allowed me through and he said they shouldn’t have. Fair enough.
So we are having a cordial discussion and I am in the process of returning from whence I came, while suggesting…and he agreeing with me…that he should let his colleagues know, when lo and behold, a tall fair skinned man walks aggressively towards me and the senior officer.
“What are you doing here?” he asked in a harsh tone. I explained that the officer was just telling me I shouldn’t be there but that the other security officers had let me through. “Get out of here! You shouldn’t be here!” he shouted. “Just leave this area,” he continued, to my utter shock and disbelief. I glanced down on his accreditation pass. Duly noted.
I certainly don’t have a problem being turned back, even though I had got earlier clearance from the Security Officers to pass. But I’d like to tell Lt Col Nuruddin Khawaja…..don’t you come into my country and speak to me like I’m some pothound dog! I’m a pedigree!
