Cricket craze: Come one, come all — it’s India versus Pakistan

Match screenings attract sport enthusiasts as they root for the team in green.

ISLAMABAD:

So what if there is no international cricket being played in Pakistan? The screenings at makeshift cinemas set up for Pakistan-India match on Sunday provided cricketing fans in the twin cities their fix.

Despite having the option of watching it free on big screens fixed at different spots in the twin cities, many cricket lovers opted to pay for watching the much-hyped match at cinema houses and special screening places.

In Rawalpindi, all halls in Cinepax were booked for screening the match live. Admission fee was Rs500.

Islamabad was no different, except that the city lacks a proper cinema house. A screen was set up under a tent in front of Civil Junction (CJ) restaurant in F-7/2. The screening provided comfortable seating arrangement along with servings of drinks and snacks made available from nearby restaurants.

Girls and boys wearing Pakistan team colours created the atmosphere of a stadium. “It’s very loud in there but it is fun. What is good about these places is that you actually feel like you are watching the match from a stand in the stadium,” said Gulraiz as he emerged out of the screening tent for a bit of fresh air.

He said he did not mind paying Rs500 for a day of fun. However, there were some who returned from the entrance after hearing about the admission price. Their idea of fun was not paying money to get it. The organisers at CJ were prepared for a fireworks show at the conclusion of the match, but Pakistan’s loss killed the mood.

Though many homes and restaurants were abuzz with friends and family rooting for their country, the streets remained pretty quite, as per usual Sundays. A big screen at Islamabad Stock Exchange Towers in Blue Area screened the match and filled in drivers from all corners of the Jinnah Avenue.

As Sachin Tendulakar built up momentum for the Indian chase, the crowd below the screen swelled to completely block it from commuters.

“Jeetay ga bhai jeetay ga, Pakistan Jeetay ga” (Pakistan will win) was the slogan that kept rising every now and then until half of the crowd left the place towards the end of the Indian innings, disappointed at Pakistani bowlers being hammered by Indian batsmen.

At a private gathering, Ali Sher welcomed family and friends at his residence in Bani Gala to enjoy the match together. Everyone was on Pakistan’s side. “Because its India!” commented Fatim.

He said patriotism during Pakistan and India match stems from the two countries’ traditional rivalry. “This is the safest way Pakistanis and Indians can channel their latent feelings of animosity in a healthily competitive way,” he added.

Ali, along with fellow musicians Usman and Zarnab, entertained friends with patriotic songs during the less intense parts of the match, with the TV on mute. However some cricket fans couldn’t control their excitement and heckled the screen.

Ali, the host, said that whether or not Pakistan is a better team is irrelevant; what matters is that cricket can help us all come together in celebration.

With input from Mavra Bari

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2012.