ALKHOBAR/JEDDDAH, 2 March 2003 — A jam-packed Al-Mawad Hall at Le Gulf Meridien, Alkhobar, venue of Arab News-Le Meridien Cricket Pavilion, broke into a thunderous applause at the end of a great match here yesterday.

The match was India vs. Pakistan at Centurion in South Africa. Billed as the clash of the titans, the TV audience globally in general and the subcontinent in particular were treated to a tremendous game. The riveting contest ended when India’s Rahul Dravid hit the winning boundary to seal his side’s place in the Super Six.

More than 300 cricket fans were at the pavilion. There were few British and South Africans, but the majority of them were Indians or Pakistanis.

The Pakistanis in the pavilion lustily cheered and applauded every hit by Saeed Anwar and Rashid Latif earlier in the day. The Indian supporters responded in kind breaking out in thunderous applause to every shot from Sachin.

Fans of both the countries watched the match in complete harmony. After India posted victory, the Pakistanis among the fans congratulated the Indians and many of them embraced each other.

Munnawar Khan of Olayan Group said he had never witnessed such a scene. “It was an evenly balanced crowd with good humor and sporting spirit.”

Simon Dunnings of South Africa said that the entire Centurion was brought inside the hotel’s cricket pavilion. An overwhelmed Muhib Khan, a Pakistani and manager in Olayan Group, said: “I have never seen an India-Pakistan tie in such an entertaining atmosphere.”

Four prizes were awarded to the winners of the quiz contest. Prizes were offered by Saudi Arabian Airlines Catering, Bitumat, Asia International School, JVC and Meridien Hotel. The sponsors have pledged more attractive prizes for the finals of the World Cup.

Jubilant Indian expats in Jeddah congratulated each other and distributed sweets at their team’s win. Both Pakistanis and Indians had booked family rooms at some restaurants to see the match that was expected to be a tensely fought affair.

India’s “master blaster” Sachin Tendulkar was the toast of the evening.

Most of them hoped that going by their current form the Indian team would do better in the Super Six and ultimately lift the World Cup.

“Even before the start of the match, India were the favorites by their sheer performance in all the matches following their loss against Australia,” Dr. Mohammed Mohsin, an Indian MOH specialist said. “And when India’s opening pair put up a 50-run partnership in just 10 overs, it was clear that the foundation had been laid for chasing the targeted 273 runs.”

Rashid Ishtiyaq, a Pakistani computer technician, blamed his team for not rising to the occasion. “We have the world’s best pace trio, but none of them could deliver the goods today,” he said.

A restaurant manager in Aziziyah said he had a hard time controlling families to see the match.

“There was a huge turnout of both Pakistani and Indian families and I had to send back some of them due to lack of space. However, at the end of the day I did good business in selling a good amount of sweets as I knew they would be ordered by the supporters of the winning side.”

Arshad Nazir, a Pakistani electrician, said: “The Pakistani team disappointed us. We never imagined their performance would be so lackluster.”

Imtiaz Ahmed, an Indian executive in a travel agency, said: “I too hope to do so business in the coming days as some Indian vacationers will choose to go to South Africa to see the remaining part of the World Cup.”