JEDDAH, 25 March 2004 — The mood was somber as the Pakistani spectators looked on with great disappointment at their national cricket team’s less than desirable performance. Salt N Pepper restaurant, located on Prince Majed Street, was the scene of a large, Arab News-sponsored congregation of Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis all interested in one thing CRICKET!
Families too were viewing the highly anticipated fifth, and final match of an historic encounter between India and Pakistan.
Judging from the scene as Arab News reporters entered, it was evident that many of the restaurant guests had been there for quite some time, as several pairs of shoes and socks could be seen lying scattered on the floor. Iftikhar Hussein, 24, whilst watching the game, told Arab News: “We Pakistanis are not very happy because our team is losing the match at the moment. The Indians know that and are trying not to cheer too loudly, so as not to upset us, I suppose. But all joking aside, we are all here for love of the sport first and foremost, then comes nationalism.”
Saquib Fraz Khan, the manager of Salt N Pepper, has been at the restaurant all day and noticed a steady exodus of Pakistani supporters as the championship appeared to slip further and further away from their grasp. He told Arab News: “The restaurant was filled with Pakistanis just before the game started at Noon. But as the day progressed, many left seeing no hope in sight.”
“Our waiters have been busy. People have been arriving and leaving all day. We are offering discounts on food and drink so we have had some good business. Earlier we had a large crowd, but it is trickling off.”
Umair, 14, and Suhaib, 15, both Pakistani, watched the final four hours of the game and were quiet when Arab News approached them for their comments. In a dejected tone, they delivered the following monologue: “It is not good that Pakistan has lost. This is the first time Pakistan has played India in my lifetime. I was hoping that Pakistan would win, because this is even bigger than the FIFA World Cup which comes around only once every four years. Next time these two teams play may not be until I am married and have children.”
Indian expats elsewhere in the city, notably Sharafiyah, Bani Malek and Aziziah districts went into celebrations after their cricket team pulled off a thrilling one-day series victory over Pakistan .
They hailed their team’s 40-run victory in the deciding day-night clash in Lahore to win the series 3-2 as “victory for cricket.”
“It’s a splendid victory,” said Younus Pervez, a Pakistani electrical engineer. “Pakistan has lost the ODI series, but Indians have definitely won our hearts.”
“This is a goodwill series and so it doesn’t matter who wins,” said Asem Chiragh, senior account executive at Focus Euro RSCG, before leaving Jeddah for Lahore to watch the final ODI.
— (Additional input by K.S. Ramkumar)
