The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Prince Charming

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 31, 2005

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Prince Charming

By A. Joseph Antony

HYDERABAD, MARCH 30. Keith Miller believed entertaining the crowds made cricket worthwhile. The man in his mould this morning, shortly before play commenced, was Shahid Afridi. The handsome hunk's known to leave women weak in the knees, but here he was obliging a horde of fans with not a skirt in sight.

The gusto he reserves to shred opening attacks was diverted to clasping every cap, hat, autograph book or ball thrust at him. The flair of his flamboyant batting spilt over into his scribbling, so much so that not only spectators but also a pack of photographers and even a posse of policemen were caught in his sway.

Promising signs: The only arid patch on the field was the playing strip, surrounded by neatly manicured grass that's become synonymous with the game and its green environs. Some steel rods here and some scaffolding there stood out like sore thumbs. As with anything new that holds out a certain promise, the stadium on the whole had all the makings of a modern sports arena of international standards.

Searing heat: The searing heat had even those in the shade squinting. This left one wondering whether holding the game in such a season matched the strategic shift in the ICC's power centre from the colder climes of Old Blighty to the desert kingdoms of the Arabian gulf. With temperatures perilously close to the fiery forties in Hyderabad, it was a minor miracle that no sunstroke was reported. Seating in the inner ring of the stadium was abandoned with spectators seeking shelter in the shade from the upper tiers. Little wonder then that Pakistan skipper Abdul Razzaq opted to field first, lest his men `burn out' in the afternoon sun.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport