Srinagar, Mar 18: With two arch cricket rivals of the sub-continent, India and Pakistan facing each other in an important Asia Cup match on Sunday, Kashmir valley was almost shut in the afternoon. Most of owners of business establishments, vendors etc decided to close their shops and preferred to watch the match.
 Same was the situation at Sunday Market which is usually buzz with shoppers. The market today witnessed a low turnout of customers.  Also many vendors at Sunday market closed their stalls in the afternoon to witness the epic encounter between the two sub-continental cricketing giants.
 As the match fever went up, businessmen decided to shut their establishments in the afternoon. “We are also planning to leave early today to watch match at home,” said Adil, a vendor at Sunday market.
 “I have decided to close my stall early so that I can watch the match with my friends at home and they have been calling me from the past one hour. I have packed my stock and am leaving for home,” Manzoor Ahmad, another vendor at Sunday Market Said.
 Not only the vendors at Sunday market were in hurry to reach their homes, but shoppers too who had come to purchase items from this market were trying to finish their shopping as soon as possible.
 “I had come here (Sunday Market) to buy some clothes but now I have decided not to do shopping and want to leave home to watch the match home,” Mukhtar Ahmad, a customer said.
 “Less number of customers turned up at the markets and due to fewer sales most of the vendors decided to close their stalls and leave for home to watch the match,” said Bilal Ahmad, a vendor at Sunday Market.
 Due to the less public movement on roads only a small number of vehicles were seen plying. As a result the streets looked deserted. “I had been waiting for bus from last one hour and there is no vehicle available in the stand,” said Rafiq Ahmad who was waiting for bus near LD.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST