ALKHOBAR, 26 March 2004 — The Arab News-Asia International School cricket pavilion here was a scene of newly found friendship between India and Pakistan as India beat Pakistan in the fifth One-Day International in Lahore, clinching the series 3-2.
Although Pakistani fans were disappointed over the defeat, many of them said that it was a victory for cricket.
“It is not an Indian victory nor a Pakistani loss. It is our victory — victory of the Indians and Pakistanis,” said Zaheer Husain, a Pakistani national who has been watching all the matches at the pavilion.
“This series brought the two nations extremely close and showed that the people of both countries want to live in peace and harmony. It was much more than cricket,” said Humayun Muzaffar, director of the Asia International School who worked day and night for the success of the pavilion.
Cricket matches between India and Pakistan in the past had always been a cause of tension and a misplaced sense of patriotism, said Muhammad Ahmad Chishti, project manager (field operations) of ABB Contracting Company. “But the present series was beyond this. It is appropriate to say that it was a ‘Friendship Series’ in which cricket was played and watched in true cricketing spirit.
After the match, Le Gulf Meridien gave a gala party for the cricket fans in the pavilion. A massive cake was cut by Meridien’s Prashant Sharma and Humayun Muzaffar of Asia School. Meridien General Manager Michael Nugent in a message reaffirmed his hotel’s support to the sporting event and said that his hotel will always welcome Arab News’ endeavor to promote sports.
Later prizes were given to the winners of the quiz contest held at the pavilion.
Humayun Muzaffar expressed his thanks to Arab News for giving his school an opportunity to host the event in the pavilion and assured people that his school will always come forward to support all sporting events and not cricket alone.
He thanked Le-Gulf Meridien and the marketing manager of Al-Khushiem Company, Mobin Shiekh, for offering prizes for the quiz contest.
Although there is big demand to continue using the pavilion for Test matches, lengthy match sessions and upcoming examinations mean the pavilion will be closed, only opening again for the mini world cup series and Asia Cup.
