Fans make it look like Pakistan and India are the ‘home’ teams
BOLLYWOOD SONGS, KIOSKS SELLING FLAGS SET SCENE FOR SEMI-FINALS
to shoddy fielding by the Lankans in their previous match against Pakistan where they dropped many catches.
However, Sri Lankan fans had some reason to cheer with Kumar Sangakkara hitting his 100th century, combined in first class and list-A cricket, in the Royal London Cup quarter final on Tuesday. Taking time off from his role as a commentator for the Champions Trophy, Sangakkara cracked 121 runs.
To reach the stadium at Cardiff one has to walk through a beautiful park where healthconscious joggers and cyclists whizz past you, especially in the mornings. An advertisement close-by proclaiming ‘cricket cycling challenge’ caught my eye. The Professional Cricket Association as part of their 50th anniversary has called on everyone to join in for a five day cycling challenge to Birmingham to raise funds for charity.
Pakistani items
Kiosks selling Pakistan and England flag were seen doing brisk business. A kiosk owner who had more Pakistani items than English ones said: “It is mainly the subcontinent fans who buy things because they would like to keep it as memorabilia for having attended the match in another country,” he explained.
Arup Dutta, an Indian fan from Dubai who was attending the Pakistan-England match said he wanted India to win the tournament. Another Indian family was here to support Pakistan since they were keen to witness an India-Pakistan final.
Many cricket fans could be seen desperately looking for spare tickets. “Sometimes people buy tickets and their friends don’t turn up; so they sell it cheap. I am hoping against hope [to get a ticket],” said one ticketless fan.
As we entered the stadium, some vociferous Pakistan fans were heard shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ (Hail Pakistan), while England fans could be seen quietly walking by amused at the enthusiasm of their counterparts from the subcontinent.