By SS
June 18 2003

It was a day to remember for all Pakistani fans at Old trafford, as their young team beat England. It was a tense affair, as England fought back well at the end. My day started at 6 am yesterday, as I awoke and looked out the window and noticed it was raining heavily. Oh s*it I thought, it cant rain today. I was like a little child who was hyperactive on Christmas morning.

I looked at about 5 different weather forecasts and was confident that it would brighten up, and so within the hour it brightened up and the smile returned to my face.

I killed a bit of time around the house and waited for the boys to turn up. Finally at 10.30 we left the house, destination Wilmslow Road. It was already noticeable just how many Pakistan shirts were being worn around Rusholme and there seemed to be a sense of anticipation amongst most of them. After some purchases from one of the many asian shops and a very heavy and unhealthy lunch, we set off for Old Trafford.

We spent about an hour getting parked and then a further 45 minutes queuing to get into the ground. There were amazing and disorganized scenes outside the ground as the young Pakistani fans swaggered with confidence, blowing kisses at the England fans who were stood outside the pub near the ground. It was almost as though these trumpet blowing, flag waving, green haired youngsters knew that Pakistan were going to win. The older Pakistani fans seemed to have a more cautious and deliberate approach to the ground, as maybe the thought of a Pakistani team without Wasim, Waqar, Inzamam, Saqlain, Shoaib Akhtar and Saeed Anwar might just capitulate.

As we approached the ground one thing struck me, was this match being played in Manchester or Multan, as the England fans were comfortably outnumbered by their Asian opponents. It was almost as though Pakistan were the home team and it was good to see little Pakistanis kids being led into the ground by their mothers, sisters, parents and grandparents. It seems as though cricket is in the blood for Pakistanis and age is no barrier.

Once eventually inside the ground, the atmosphere generated by the Pakistani fans was a joy to behold, the noise, the colour, the intensity and above all the passion. We had an excellent view at the Warwick Road end, the end where Sami opened the bowling from.

After six or seven uncomfortable overs, I looked over at my brother and we both muttered 270 plus. I always thought Trescothick and Vaughan were the men who would hold the England batting together and once they were out, Pakistan were always on top. As the wickets fell and the run rate decreased, one could sense the nerves of the young Pakistani youngsters disappear. It seemed as though after every appearance by chacha on the big screen, an England wicket would fall.

The Pakistani fielding it must be said has reached a new level, with Yasir, Hafeez, Imran, Shoaib M, YK and Sami all excellent fielders. Their enthusiasm was there for all to witness and there was a certain spring in their steps. Certainly no stiff backs, tired legs or aching limbs in the field for Pakistan.

204 for 9 was an excellent effort by the Pakistani team and even the disgusting and overpriced fries we ate during the interval, did not taste too bad, knowing the game was virtually in the bag. As we walked around the ground, we could hear time and again, the words if Pakistan get a 50 opening partnership, the game is ours.

Imran and Hafeez got Pakistan off to a flier and the bhangra and Mexican waves were breaking out all around the ground. Even after the loss of Imran, the Pakistani section of the crowd witnessed 2 future stars batting in tandem. Yasir Hameed is a skinny little lad, who strode out to the crease with a purpose and looked a class act.

But, just as we all know Pakistan can do, the self destruct button was pressed, Yasir, Yousuf and Younis were all back in the pavilion, as the Pakistani contingent looked rather nervously at the scorecard. We have got plenty of batting was the general consensus, as the 2 guys dressed up as Elvis sat in front of me, suddenly broke into song for the first time.

Shoaib Malik played with confidence and purpose, this was evident in his bowling, batting and fielding. He is not the most gifted Pakistani player there has ever been, but boy does he give it 100%. 11 needed and 8 out, as the nail biting increased and the ball had in the last few overs just been swinging about.

2 lusty blows by Sami and Razzaq and the game was deservedly won by Pakistan. What a day and what a match. What noise, what excitement, what tension. We reached home just before midnight and just in time to watch and record the highlights. We had all lost our voices today, but our hope and enthusiasm about the future of Pakistani cricket still remains.