ALKHOBAR, 24 March 2004 — In any foreign country if you see a mixed Indian and Pakistani crowd, you can be sure they are engrossed in a game of cricket. Even in Saudi Arabia, community cricket thrives. Little boys play cricket in parks, parking lots and in the corridors of apartments.
Even girls get into the excitement of the event, albeit vicariously, enjoying the contest on television. Some of them had chanced their arm in their native countries, but in the Kingdom they can only enjoy cricket, especially the India-Pakistan contests, on TV.
Faiza and Muneera cheered Pakistan during the India-Pakistan game in the World Cup, and the sisters were heartbroken when Pakistan lost.
They have lived in Saudi Arabia all their lives. During vacations in Pakistan they played cricket with their grandfather, but most of their exposure to the game has been through television.
The sisters are excited about watching the Indo-Pak game. Sixteen-year-old Faiza said she had often heard of the great rivalry between India and Pakistan from her elders. “It’s great to experience it personally. I think India-Pakistan matches are the most exciting I’ve ever witnessed.”
Muneera said she only watches when Pakistan plays. “Of all the games I’ve watched, the clash between India and Pakistan has been out of this world.”
Both Faiza and Muneera are appearing for their board exams, which is taking place during this series. But that did not keep them away from watching cricket. “I had my Math paper the day after the 2nd ODI in Rawalpindi,” Faiza said. “I studied extra hard and convinced my parents to let me watch the match. And it was such a treat to watch Pakistan win.”
Muneera who is getting ready for her 9th grade board exams, added, “I checked the games schedule and prepared hard during off days. Since my father is a big cricket fan too, he understands.”
Faiza feels that many of her generation of expatriate girls do not have a major interest in cricket. “Many of the girls are not exposed to the game here. They cannot play and many do not have satellite channels where cricket is shown.”
Samar and Ayesha are sisters of Indo-American origin. They too grew up in Saudi Arabia, and though their parents are very keen on cricket, the girls are not.
Sixteen-year-old Ayesha said, “I hate cricket because it’s a very long and slow game. I prefer tennis.”
Seventeen-year-old Samar said, “When there is a cricket match on, my mother is glued to the television. You can’t even talk to her. I tried watching the game. I had heard a lot about Shahid Afridi from my friends in school, so I checked him out. I didn’t think he was all that great. My mother tries very hard to get us interested in the game. She tells us we are missing a great thrill, but to be honest cricket has never appealed to me. It’s too long and boring.”
“The current series really amazes me. There is so much hype, so much tension. My father is originally from India and my mother from Pakistan. They get so excited, tense and sometimes even fight. My sister and I have to play referee, telling them to cool it.”
