Fans beat the heat to keep spirit alive

PAKISTAN OPENER IMAM SHOWS HIS HUMAN FACE

Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play,” George Orwell famously wrote in an article called The Sporting Spirit, back in 1945. “It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words it is war minus the shooting.”

You don’t have to take Orwell’s words literally when witnessing a cricketing duel between India and Pakistan, but the intensity can be felt at every twist and turn.

Jingoism is at its extreme. The mercury at the Dubai International Stadium was well over the 40-degree mark but there was no dearth of enthusiasm among the fans.

They were ready to soak up the atmosphere and occupied the seats armed with sunglasses, hats, umbrellas, with some even using the flags as headgear to get some relief from the sun.

There were plenty of vacant seats at the start of the contest and that was expected with Sunday being the first working day of the week.

The result of the last group match between the arch-rivals would have also kept few of the fans away.

India beat Pakistan by eight wickets in a one-sided contest but, as the sun went down and floodlights took centre stage, many more fans eased into the stadium.

There was still a lot riding on this clash between the neighbours. Their relations took yet another bitter turn since India turned down Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s request for talks.

Inside the stadium though, it was heartening to see Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq jump into the stands and walk to an Indian teenage fan to apologise after he accidentally hit him while doing the knocking ahead of the match.

Inside the Press box, former Pakistan pace ace Shoaib Akhtar was seen nudging an Indian journalist, who was typing away furiously, to indicate he needed to stand up as the Indian national anthem was on in the PA system.

Back home in the studios, former cricketers of India and Pakistan were ribbing each other, making tall claims.

A neutral supporter of the sport, though, wouldn’t care about anything and expect nothing short of a thriller.

Back home in the studios, former cricketers of India and Pakistan were ribbing each other, making tall claims.

Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News India and Pakistan supporters pose together for a photo in a show of a good neighbourly spirit.

Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News Pakistan supporters ahead of their team’s match with India.

Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News A young fan takes in the fanfare at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News Many people came prepared to beat the heat, with sunglasses and hats being the common feature.

Virendra Saklani/Gulf News Thousands of residents have taken advantage of the games being hosted in UAE to attend matches.

Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News Bangladesh supporters at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi during their team’s match with Afghanistan.

Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News Afghanistan fans show their true colours during the match with Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.

Virendra Saklani/Gulf News Patriotism and national colours are always on full display at India-Pakistan encounters.