LAHORE – Let us begin to rejoice our floundering nationalism. Cricket comes forth. City dwellers sing to its romance. A fever has gripped the city. The Cricket World Cup 2011 is about to commence. Let us lower the linguistic flavour. Let us simplify the language. Let us return to the format of a newsreport.
As the Cricket World Cup 2010 comes near arrangements to view and celebrate matches are under way. Excitement is high despite the fact that Pakistan’s dire security situation meant it was deprived of the right to be joint host to the cricketing event. Amongst layers of controversy surrounding the Pakistan cricket team, Lahorites seemed confident that the team could succeed.
Restaurants and cafes in the city have begun to make special arrangements to show World Cup matches. On the other hand, the sale of multimedia projectors has also been increased – a minor commercial boom for the electronics market during recession. Recent years have seen a rising trend – get-togethers to watch matches have increased. Now a number of colleges too screen important matches.
Special dinners and hi-teas:
A die-hard fan of cricket, Tahir Aziz said that he will arrange special dinners and hi-teas during Pakistan’s matches. “Watching matches with the family has a unique flavour,” he added. He also said that he had a plan to watch matches in the stadium, but it was quite sad that we were deprived of the hosting of the major event. Big screens on different places have also been arranged to view the matches, whereas Pakistan Television has also announced to make a World cup city where the citizens would be able to see the matches with stars.
Gulberg cafe Sheikhu’s is amongst those that have arranged a big screen to show the matches on. Cafe owner Danial told Pakistan Today, “I think of my cafe as more than a simple cafe. Providing entertainment facilities to complement the variety of food options we have is essential. I designed my cafe to have a large sitting capacity. This should create an electric atmosphere during World Cup matches.”
New food, shorter matches: Mrs Saqib is a housewife and certainly not amongst those interested in the matches. She complains her daily routine will be affected by the World Cup as her children loose control when they watch the matches. “When the match starts my sons are glued to the television. They make me cook different types of food – especially French fries for snacking,” Mrs Saqib complained. In desperation, she pleaded that the International Cricket Council replace One Day Internationals with T20s since her sons do not study during the because the seven hours ODIs mean her son’s, who are incidentally students, do not study during the matches. waste a lot of precious time of the students.
Business up:While housewife’s complain and yet continue to ready their cooking pans, sport’s shop owner’s are rather happy. “The Cricket World Cup means cricket fever,” the unnamed owner of a sports’ shop tells us,”the young rush to sports shops in order to buy cricket bats and tennis balls. Moreover our sports goods industry of sports is getting orders from the international market. It helps business across the board.”
No clash with school time: And a student, obviously excited, proclaimed, “The schedule delighted me. All of Pakistan’s matches are day and night. There is no clash with school time. I will be able to watch them all.” A Hall Road shopkeeper of told Pakistan Today that the lack of special World Cup offers was upsetting this time around. “Prices of television sets are on the rise this year unlike previous world cups. I hope sales improve as the world cup approaches.”
With the screening of Pakistan’s World Cup kit, demand for it has also increased. Manufacturers claim that they are getting orders from wherever in the world Pakistanis reside. A banker, who spent a part of his life at England, said that the moments when Pakistanis and Indians watch matches together are special. One cannot even imagine them. He said that we Pakistanis and Indians live and work with each other with a lot of affection abroad, but as soon as an Indo-Pak match starts the friendship converts into rivalry.
Don’t shed the load: A retired Government officer and cricket lover said the biggest hurdle between the World cup and its fans would be WAPDA. He said, “If electricity is off for four to six hours who shall be able to enjoy the matches.” He said Shahid Afridi’s statement that Pakistan will at least reach the Semis has given hope to people who now have high expectations. People said they would love to see a Pakistan-India World Cup final in Mumbai. They claimed that they would love to take revenge from the 2007 T20 World Cup.
They also speculated that the conditions in Sri Lanka would suit Pakistan, as the ball would turn on the Lankan pitches, with a strong spin department in the Pakistani team. They said that if the team clicks there would be no stopping it. Experts and citizens asserted that the Pakistani team would have to overcome its’ perennial problem – it’s fielding if it was to delight them by bringing the World Cup back.
