India World Cup

Mumbai:  The multi-agency security deployed for the cricket World Cup final was "unprecedented" in the history of Mumbai, surpassing even the stringent cover during US President Barack Obama's two-day visit last year, a top official said Tuesday.

"The multi-tier security was necessitated in view of the huge number of VVIPs, including Indian President Pratibha Patil, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, top Indian leaders, businessmen, film personalities, foreigners and others (who witnessed the final)," a home department official, who declined to be identified, told IANS.

Over 6,000 police personnel, uniformed and in civil dress, were stationed in and around the Wankhede Stadium area, outside Churchgate station, to secure the 33,000-strong crowd of spectators inside during the India-Sri Lanka final Saturday that the hosts won.

"We had to prove to the world that we are capable of organising any international event safely and securely, whether they involve huge crowds or not," the official said.

Besides, additional forces were deployed on the route to Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel south of the stadium, where the Indian and Sri Lankan teams were staying.

Similarly, massive security was in place towards the northwest on Malabar Hill where the Raj Bhavan is located and where President Patil stayed.

The Malabar Hill neighbourhood is also home to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, several ministers, high court judges, top central and state bureaucrats, diplomatic corps stationed in Mumbai, top executives of Indian and foreign companies, Indian scientists, a few Bollywood actors and other prominent personalites..

The sea routes were particularly secured as the memory of the 10 Pakistani terrorists who sneaked in from the Arabian Sea Nov 26, 2008 and unleashed mayhem on the city for the next 60 hours taking 166 lives is still fresh in the minds of the security apparatus.

The security set-up earned lavish praise from union Minister of State for Home Gurudas Kamat and Chavan, besides the people of Mumbai as the day ended with India bagging the World Cup.

Some elements of the security structure had been put in place a week before the final. This was tightened three days before the event and continued for a day after.

Pakistan made a solid start in reply with 44 on the board before Kamran Akmal fell to Zaheer Khan with the final ball of the ninth over, becoming the left-armer's 18th wicket of the tournament.

Akmal made a brisk 19 off 21 balls faced, while his fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez scored 43 from 59 before being second man out.

At 102-2 the match was still in the balance, but spinner Yuvraj dismissed Asad Shafiq (30) and veteran batsman Younis Khan (13) to turn the tide in India's favor.

Umar Akmal tried to get Pakistan's run-rate back to the required level with a quickfire 29 off 24 balls, including two sixes, but when he was bowled by Harbhajan Singh it left his team needing 119 runs from 16.5 overs.

Misbah was the last man out, caught in the deep by Kohli off Zaheer, but his runs came off a pedestrian 76 deliveries and he was not able to force the pace until Pakistan's victory bid became almost a lost cause.

All the Indian bowlers ended with two wickets each, with Zaheer moving above New Zealand's Tim Southee into second place in the overall standings behind Afridi, who has 21 in total for the tournament.

"Everyone here has a huge regard for the Indian team. They have the batsmen, no doubt. Tendulkar and Sehwag can rip any attack to shreds. But that alone doesn't win the World Cup for India. He is dreaming," he said.

"Captain MS Dhoni has admitted some of his fieldsmen are very slow. But Dhoni believes he will win the World Cup with this bowling line-up: Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh. Dhoni must turn to history to see that this bowling attack will not win a World Cup."