In marked contrast, there was a smaller but more disciplined crowd of about 5,000 spectators, including 200 school children for the India-Sri Lanka game on the opening day of the second league match of the championship.

It was much to the relief of Match Referee Cammie Smith who had a tough time in completing the India-Pakistan game at Eden Gardens, following unrest in the stands on the last two days.

At the SSC grounds, the security was tight, but systematic and organised with entry to the school kids being free. Small wonder then that the well co-ordinated effort on part of the organisers prompted Thilanga Sumathipala, president of the Asian Cricket Council and also the Sri Lankan Board of Control, to attribute the Calcutta incidents to organisational failure rather than the crowditself.

``It was a sad incident,'' said the 35-year old ACC chief, but was against banning Calcutta from organising international matches. ``It will create an unpleasant situation.''

Asked about the ongoing championship, Sumathipala said the ACC were planning to conduct the event once every three years despite the hectic international calendar. ``We will find time to hold the championship,'' he asserted.