ALKHOBAR, 6 April 2005 — “Virendar Sehwag is out, that’s good news for Pakistan” the cricket commentator called out. He was wrong. Mahendara Dhoni, who looked more like a rock star than a cricketer took over…And India rocked, all the way to victory….and with it the Indian match viewers at the Arab News Cricket Pavilion at Le Meridien Hotel.
“Dhoni has made us proud. Pakistan should have taken a lesson from him. He’s a new player but he batted sensibly and with aggression” said Indian expatriate Abdul Saleem as cricket pundits sat at the Arab News Cricket Pavilion discussing the match.
“The first 15 overs of Pakistan’s innings will decide who will win” said Khalid Mahmood of Pakistan. “No, India’s first 15 overs have already decided. We will lose. Dhoni ney hamey dho deya” (Dhoni took us to the cleaners) said a disappointed Pakistan fan, Rafeya. “Our team selection was quite screwed up. I don’t see why Mohammad Hafeez was played after his last bad performance. Yasir Hameed should have been retained.”
Sivadas Olencherry an Indian was really missing Pakistan’s fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. “Not playing him really hurt Pakistan. He should be recalled. I doubt if he is injured. It’s a tussle between him and Inzi. I love to watch him play. He is such a stylish bowler”.
There were many comments on Indian captain Ganguly’s form. Abdul Saleem said, “Ganguly should stop consulting astrologers and changing shirt numbers. He should concentrate on batting. “Every cricketer goes through bad phases. Ganguly is a match winning captain. And with these two wins I know people will forget his bad form.”
“Last time Ganguly played like this he was having an affair with Indian actress Naghma. I wonder if his heart is philandering again from cricket,” said Rafeya joining the discussion. Everyone agreed that Ganguly was a winning captain and were against his sacking.
Surprisingly the Indian spectators supported Inzamam’s captaincy calling him excellent. Most of them cheered loudly when Inzamam on being run out showed some temper and flung his bat. They thought Inzamam needed to show more aggression. Abdul Saleem also thought Pakistani players needed better coaching. “Imran Khan is a failed husband, a failed politician, he should abandon everything and start coaching Pakistani bowlers.
The 10th graders of the British International School visited the Cricket Pavilion with Mrs. Chambers and Nick Hardcastle. Le Meridien’s Prashant Sharma got some signatures from the visitors on a cricket bat which already has 600 signatures.
This Arab News-Le Meridien cricket bat will be displayed at the hotel lobby. “Our object is to promote community good will through sports. The Pavilion is a good place to sit together, make some noise and have fun.
I would encourage people to visit the pavilion on April 15 and 17 when we plan to have some quiz and other entertainment,” said Sharma. Any inquiries regarding the Arab News Cricket Pavilion can be made at: 03-864 6000.
