Fans let down by anthem snub
Scores of Pakistan fans that had travelled to Pallekele were left disappointed by the authorities’ decision to snub the national anthem for a prompt start.
Play was delayed by 10 minutes due to rain right after Zimbabwe opted to bat first under grey skies. The authorities, in their bid to make up for lost time, opted to forgo the anthem and flag ceremony, leaving Pakistan fans disappointed.
“The officials have left me upset,” Ahmed, who had arrived from Karachi on the eve of the match, told The Express Tribune. “If they wanted to make up for lost time, the lunch interval could’ve been reduced. I had planned on singing the anthem but I got robbed of the opportunity.”
Even a large number of locals – most of whom were rooting for Pakistan given Kandy’s large Muslim population – were left perplexed by the decision.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2011.
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1732778471-0/Express-Tribune-(3)1732778471-0-270x192.webp "pakistan opt to bat first against zimbabwe in odi series decider")
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