ALKHOBAR, 28 February 2003 — The jam-packed pavilion which went wild as Zaheer Khan wrapped up the England innings.
The crowd gave a standing ovation for the star of the day, Ashish Nehra, who captured a record six wickets to give India a convincing victory.
It was not the Kingsmead in Durban, but the Arab News-Le Meridien Cricket Pavilion at Hotel Gulf Meridien in Al-Khobar.
Since it was a day-night match, people started pouring in a little late and when England started their inning, the pavilion was jam-packed and the hotel staff had to make special arrangements for the crowd.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement and every good ball or a drive by a batsman was cheered.
Simon Dunnings of Durban, South Africa, who is in the Kingdom on business said that the pavilion was a complete compensation of what he missed back home. “I could not have asked for more. It was a perfect setting and I felt as if I was sitting inside the stadium amongst my own people,” he said.
The Arab News-Le Gulf Meridien Cricket Pavilion is becoming a hot favorite with the people of the Eastern Province. The hotel management has received several bookings for the March 1 historic match between India and Pakistan.” Owing to heavy booking we have shifted our venue to a bigger hall where more than 200 people can watch the match on a larger screen,” said Prashant Sharma, revenue manager of the hotel.
There will be separate arrangement for families, he said. The hotel is offering special packages to students and schools. The cricket pavilion is supported by Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudi Digital Distribution company Pehla, Bitumat, Asia International School and JVC. In yesterday’s match, the quiz contest prize was won by Suresh Kumar. JVC Sales and Marketing Manager Reda Al-Haj presented the prize.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Province is gearing up for the India-Pakistan match. Asia International School in AlKhobar has declared a holiday tomorrow and has also made special arrangements for students to watch the match on large screen in the school hall, according to Humayun Muzaffar, director of the school. Many expatriates have applied for leave on March 1 to witness what many call the battle of Titans.
