Amid extremely tight security, police officers dispersed the crowd as it approached the stadium, hitting some protesters with bamboo canes, an AFP reporter witnessed.

"The incident had nothing to do with cricket," local cricket administrator G.S. Walia told AFP.

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Police were in huge numbers at the stadium to keep a check on the fans who were crowding outside in the hope of getting tickets to the high-profile clash on Wednesday.

"They (the protestors) also thought that it would be a good way of getting some attention, so they chose the stadium for their protest," said a machine gun-wielding police officer. "The situation is under control."