“Jeet gaya bhai jeet gaya, Pakistan jeet gaya!!”.
This was the voice of the Pakistani spectators after
Pakistan smashed India with a spectacular 316 for 6.
Shahid Afridi gave us all a good show with 3 sixers of
Ganguly and numeroud fours to score an overall 109, the
first century in the Sahara Cup, and also his record high
if I am not mistaken. Inzimam-ul-Haq, the Incredible Hulk
put a good 78 runs and with the firm-stand help of Aamir
and Salim, Pakistan had a good show on for both Indians
and us.
Although the “Jeet Gaya” nara was in place, there was
always India to bat and given Ganguly’s haalat in bowling
there was a chance that he’d show outrageous batting. That
however did not happen, and India lost its first wicket
within the first twenty runs. The second wicket was also
a breeze. Then there was a silence from both sides and
the Indians seemed to stabilize, and there were a couple
of boundaries. However it was in saving such a boundary that
our dear Afridi tossed the ball direct on the stumps, a
marvellous throw and that was the end right there as I see it.
Wickets just kept on coming.
Among the highlights was the moment when Afridi was about to
complete his century. It was formally announced then that nobody
should disturb the teams and enter the field, or they would be
arrested by security. Lekin kaun roak sakkaa hai, woh uncle ne
jo daurdh lagaai at Afridi’s century, and he hugged him hard.
It was a true jazbaa and I don’t feel sorry for that guy.
“Inzimaam aa gaya maidaan mein, haijemaalow!!” was what we sang
at his entry. Arey bhai khaatey peetey log hein, aur Indians ne
usse “aaloo” kahaa. Lekin, Indians nei itney aaloo zindagi mein
nahin khaye hon ge, jitne hamarey aaloo nei khilaye. Unn ki team
ki “bhindi torey”, Persaud, arey bhai uss ka buthaa dekhney walaa
thaa. Shughul bhi khub lagaa yaaron, asal mein do matches theiy, aik
field ke ander aur aik field key baharr. Donown jagaa takkar ki
teams theen. Overall it was a clean, with a very few incidents
of physical voilence.
It didn’t end yet, after the match, we boyz & gals pumped up our
vehicles, aur Jhandey shandey lagaa ke nikall gaye shehaarr mein.
After roaming thru the city, we entered the beloved Gerrard India Bazaar.
It was like people were waiting for us to come, Dil Dil Pakistan was
sounding all over, the shopkeepers were on the street with v’s and
thumbs. Aik mithaai waaley ne free ladddoooos gaareeon mein baantt diye
aur humm ney khub narey lagaaey. Night hasn’t ended yet, people are
still out there, and we are the champs until next time, next year
InshaAllah. Ganguly peh yeh raat bhari parey gee. Afridi man of the
match, but Ganguly man of “Our Match”.
ciao, and take care.
Pakistan Zindabaad!!