Stadium Report for the last day - PakPassion

Farhad

Following the match in the morning session on the net, I did not pin much hopes on Pakistan surging to such an enormous avalanche of victory in the second session. But as it happened, I still decided to be there to watch Shoaib's fiery spells and indeed that was the right decision.

PCB folks have sold each and every conceivable match right and some on weird terms. Well, there were literally hundreds of spectators outside the ground who could not get in as the tickets were being sold ONLY through Bank Al-Falah branches...the nearest one being about a couple of miles away from the Stadium! Anyhow, we had passes for the Fazal Mahmood Stand. This is the one adjacent on the left of the VVIP/Pavilion area.

There were quite a few Englishmen watching the proceedings in our Stand. When we got there the crowd support for the home team was at a low ebb as we had a fruitless first session.

Kaneria made the vital breach into English ranks and then Shoaib began to steam in putting his all into stunning bowling spell as he knocked over the English middle-order with his thunderbolts. All hell just broke loose in the most fascinatinmg of fashions. The crowd was going wild with excitement and jubilation.

It has been amazing to see how much lift and bounce Shoaib was getting throughout the match as compared to any other bowler playing on either side. Right through his spells that I saw in this match, the crowd was behind him vociferously literally every single delivery that he bowled - such is the adulation and love he commands here and the trust and anticipation that the fans attach to this magnificent bowler.

Yesterday and this afternoon, I mingled with some English supporters to have their ideas about the Series.......

What are your feelings about the way Series has gone?
"Well, we should have won the First Test and then we would have been winning the Series. when you need 190-odd, you should get there."

But you would have thought Pak batting was brittle because of inconsistent opening combination possibly?
"anybody who saw Butt bat in the match in India when he got a 100 can tell this is a class act....so No we never thought you were weak in batting.

"Pakistan has utilised their home advantage fully by preparing suitable pitches for themselves."

"Shoaib provided the shock-factor."

So what about the next Series for your team?
"We will take it out on India I guess now!"

"The real challenge would be when you come and play on OUR pitches next year."

But the toast of the day came after we had knocked them over as a big group of fans started the euphonic chant..... "We won the Ashes!!....We won the Ashes!!"

Amjid Javed

Farhad how did you enjoy being thrown in air everytime a wicket fell?

I saw you on tv

Daoud

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed

Farhad how did you enjoy being thrown in air everytime a wicket fell?

I saw you on tv

Farhad

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed

Farhad how did you enjoy being thrown in air everytime a wicket fell?

I saw you on tv

Ahem....it couldn't have been me!

I'm glad I was there to represent all of us.

ODIs should be fascinating as they are day-night features. I'll do a fuller report on them as I won't be missing a single delivery in those two matches InshaAllah.

Raz

Nice report Farhad, good read.

Amjid Javed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farhad

Ahem....it couldn't have been me!

I'm glad I was there to represent all of us.

ODIs should be fascinating as they are day-night features. I'll do a fuller report on them as I won't be missing a single delivery in those two matches InshaAllah.

lahore was once a fortress for pakistan interms of odis up until the jeet lol dil series. weve lost 3 out of last 4 odis in lahore.

I think batting 2nd is easier as dew tends to affect the bowlers. 280-90 tends to be a par score aswell.

I hope you see runs galore and 2 pakistan wins.

Farah

made 4 nice reading thanx

Nauman

Great read there Farhad.

Officer Barbrady

Lahore lahore hay

I think the odis start at 1045. They are barely day and night.

z10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marooned

Lahore lahore hay

I think the odis start at 1045. They are barely day and night.

marooned how would u define the ambigious comcepts of day and night if not with the setting of the sun?

Officer Barbrady

Quote:

Originally Posted by z10

marooned how would u define the ambigious comcepts of day and night if not with the setting of the sun?

One usually expects 'day and night' games in Pak to start around 1 pm (thus those at school etc can get there as Farhad mentioned ).

These will start 1045 so in that sense they are barely day and night and the lights will probably only be used for an hour or 2 max.

But it's a good move since the dew factor kills the game if started too late.

z10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marooned

One usually expects 'day and night' games in Pak to start around 1 pm (thus those at school etc can get there as Farhad mentioned ).

These will start 1045 so in that sense they are barely day and night and the lights will probably only be used for an hour or 2 max.

But it's a good move since the dew factor kills the game if started too late.

if they started at 1 they would virtually be night matches ;)

Officer Barbrady

You'd still get the first inning just about done in light (415-430). That's actually the time they used to start before the dew issues. This time we'll be half way through the second inning before the lights are even turned on.

z10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marooned

You'd still get the first inning just about done in light (415-430). That's actually the time they used to start before the dew issues. This time we'll be half way through the second inning before the lights are even turned on.

i was exagerating