Tale of One city and Two matches
Abu Dhabi became the 158th One day international venue when it hosted the DLF cup between India and Pakistan. We were there on the first day with some friends and need less to say were disappointed, not because India lost the match but the it was outright boring from ball 1. Venugopal RAW (I have re-christened his Surname in line with his 'aruvai' batting display) and Yonus Khan who saved the blushes for Pakistan were the ones to go beyond the '50 mark'
Only consolation was the brilliant lazer show, trademark salutes of the Pak President and the glamorus chinkara fame Salman, Fardeen, Isha Deol and a host of bollywood heart throbs
The second match was better with 'Viru' coming back with a bang as he only can and the 'Wall' adding one more brick to his layer as an opening bat. Zee TV Compeer on 'Cricket Cafe' was cute and for a refreshing change, we have a female sports anchor other than Sonali of NDTV. Imran Khan and Ajay Jadeja(the guy still looks street smart) along with irrepressible Sidhu and the soft veteran Ayaz formed the expert team and except Sidhu who kept literally shouting his oft repeated Sidhusims others were balanced and articulate in their views. Mr. Sidhu-Gives us a break-U just don't allow others to speak and keep repeating comments like 'form is temporary-Class is permanent etc ' and you are highly predictable and noisy
The inside stadium architecture and lights were magnificent but the security arrangements and seating left a lot to be desired. Even Malcom Speed and Sharad Pawar were delayed entry by so called security ring and not allowing water bottles inside the stadium in 40 + temperature was atrocious especially when the limited stock available inside was sold at a premium. More pathetic were the popular grass mounds where thousands of taxi walas and laborers had spent their hard earned money just to watch the match out of sheer passion and they had to starve without water and basic toilet facility as a reward. The approach roads and sign boards were pathetic and AD has long way to go before they can really boast of an international setup to organize matches of this nature.
The Indians deserve a 3 week break after a marvelous half season and credit goes to Chappel and Dravid for moulding this young team
RK
Abu Dhabi became the 158th One day international venue when it hosted the DLF cup between India and Pakistan. We were there on the first day with some friends and need less to say were disappointed, not because India lost the match but the it was outright boring from ball 1. Venugopal RAW (I have re-christened his Surname in line with his 'aruvai' batting display) and Yonus Khan who saved the blushes for Pakistan were the ones to go beyond the '50 mark'
Only consolation was the brilliant lazer show, trademark salutes of the Pak President and the glamorus chinkara fame Salman, Fardeen, Isha Deol and a host of bollywood heart throbs
The second match was better with 'Viru' coming back with a bang as he only can and the 'Wall' adding one more brick to his layer as an opening bat. Zee TV Compeer on 'Cricket Cafe' was cute and for a refreshing change, we have a female sports anchor other than Sonali of NDTV. Imran Khan and Ajay Jadeja(the guy still looks street smart) along with irrepressible Sidhu and the soft veteran Ayaz formed the expert team and except Sidhu who kept literally shouting his oft repeated Sidhusims others were balanced and articulate in their views. Mr. Sidhu-Gives us a break-U just don't allow others to speak and keep repeating comments like 'form is temporary-Class is permanent etc ' and you are highly predictable and noisy
The inside stadium architecture and lights were magnificent but the security arrangements and seating left a lot to be desired. Even Malcom Speed and Sharad Pawar were delayed entry by so called security ring and not allowing water bottles inside the stadium in 40 + temperature was atrocious especially when the limited stock available inside was sold at a premium. More pathetic were the popular grass mounds where thousands of taxi walas and laborers had spent their hard earned money just to watch the match out of sheer passion and they had to starve without water and basic toilet facility as a reward. The approach roads and sign boards were pathetic and AD has long way to go before they can really boast of an international setup to organize matches of this nature.
The Indians deserve a 3 week break after a marvelous half season and credit goes to Chappel and Dravid for moulding this young team
RK
posted by RK at 9:38 AM
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