✪ Jokes, music, and thrill amidst an intense chase
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”3px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”width: 75% !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element_phone=”width: 100% !important;” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”width: 75% !important;”][et_pb_blurb title=”K R Nayar” image=”https://cricketlovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/K-R-Nayar1.png” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”1100px” image_icon_width_tablet=”” image_icon_width_phone=”” image_icon_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” content_max_width_tablet=”” content_max_width_phone=”” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Poppins|700|||on||||” header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#E02B20″ header_font_size=”16px” body_font=”Poppins||||||||” body_text_align=”left” body_text_color=”#565656″ custom_padding=”|||550px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|||20px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:70px;” image_max_width_tablet=”” image_max_width_phone=”” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Senior cricket writer & analyst
[/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.13.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”8px||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Abu Dhabi. “Keep count of the boundaries and sixes, mate,” shouted a New Zealand fan. This was in reference to England having beaten New Zealand in the 2019 ICC World Cup final based on more boundaries in the match.
This story was published in The Telegraph, India
When New Zealand raced towards the target with opener Daryl Mitchell hitting a volley of sixes, one fan remarked that Mitchell was hitting those shots just in case this time the winner would be decided based on more sixers! The location of the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium press box is such that it has an exit into the stands, and hence one can always hear the funny remarks that are constantly made by spectators seated close by.
Sri Lanka’s Papare Bands
The scene at the Abu Dhabi Cricket Stadium yesterday could have made one wonder whether the venue was set up for a music concert or an intense cricket match. Many fans had come in with trumpets and were constantly playing ‘I am a Cider Drinker’ when the Kiwis were fighting hard to up the run flow. Many Sri Lankans came with their Papare bands and played the drums and trumpets to keep everyone entertained. They were all wearing the Sri Lankan team jersey. After England’s batting, someone from the crowd wearing a Pakistan team jersey asked an English fan: “Have you made enough runs to return to Dubai and play us?” An Indian fan quipped after the match: “We are the third best team since we’ve lost only to the finalists!”
Sri Lankan fans regale spectators
Lollipop catches and dinner
When Martin Guptill offered a simple catch off the third ball of the first over, a few English fans who were having dinner called out ‘Join us for dinner please.” Soon, when Kane Williamson too offered an easy catch to get out, someone shouted, “Wanted more lollipop catches”. When Devon Conway walked out to bat, they sang ‘There is no way now, Conway.”
Explosive encounter and sniffer dogs
Everyone who drove into the stadium on Wednesday was in for a surprise since all cars were stopped and checked with sniffer dogs. That was surprising since even for the high security India-Pakistan match, there wasn’t such a security measure. In fact, on that occasion, even carry bags were not examined. A journalist jokingly remarked that the high-level security maybe because someone had written that it would be an explosive encounter between the two equally balanced teams!
Bindi as a PCR sticker
The sticker meant to prove that PCR requirement check has been met with was a round one….similar to a ‘bindi’ that Indian women wear on their foreheads. All media personnel had to line up to get that sticker on their accreditation card. While walking to the entrance, a fellow journalist was heard asking someone whether he had got the ‘bindi approval’ on his card. Abu Dhabi Cricket had appointed many marshals all around to assist spectators. The word ‘Marshal’ was written on their red jacket and a fan joking asked one of them who looked like he was from West Indies whether he was related to the legendary late pacer Malcolm Marshal.
Teammates today, rivals from November 19
In eight day’s time, England skipper Eoin Morgan will be playing against his strike bowlers Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan on this very ground in the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament. In the opening match, Morgan’s Delhi Bulls will take on defending champions Northern Warriors that has Ali and Jordan in their team. Morgan has many supporters here, and he had once stated that T10 is his most favourite league. In fact, many of his supporters come from different emirates to specially cheer for him.
Respects for Mohan Singh
Before the national anthem, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Abu Dhabi groundsman Mohan Singh who passed away on the morning of the Afghanistan-New Zealand match. Since this was the first match for which he had not prepared the pitch, many who had been interacting with him, were emotional. England and New Zealand players wore black armbands as a mark of respect.
Laxman’s support and the ‘Dheere Dheere’ chant
VVS Laxman, who is here as a commentator, candidly remarked that he was supporting New Zealand for ‘obvious reasons’. It took a while for many to realise that Laxman is the mentor of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team in the IPL and Kane Williamson is their team captain. While New Zealand was chasing England’s target, some Pakistan supporters shouted their famous cheer chant for New Zealand “Dheere, dheere (Slowly, slowly), New Zealand.” When Mitchell hit his second six off Chris Woakes, a fan commented: “Mitchell will now drive the New Zealand team to Dubai.”
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