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| March 2, 2003 | Sunday | Zul Hijjah 28, 1423 |
‘This is what we wanted to see’
NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD, March 1: Cricket-crazy fans danced on the streets in New Delhi but were plunged into gloom in Islamabad after India beat bitter foes Pakistan in what was billed as the “Clash of the Centurion”.
“It’s a really big disappointment for all of us, especially because it was a match against India,” said Islamabad resident Fahmina Tariq.
In the heart of the Indian capital, fans erupted with joy, dancing in the streets to throbbing music. Millions elsewhere in India also took to the streets, setting off firecrackers, beating drums and chanting, “Long live India, we’re the champs!”
“This is what we wanted to see — India playing Pakistan and walloping them. My friends and I screamed ourselves hoarse,” New Delhi cricket fan Samir Rai said.
But across the border in Pakistan, the streets were deserted as the country’s cricket lovers went into mourning.
“It was a disgrace, a horrible defeat at the hands of India,” said an Islamabad housewife.
“I was praying Pakistan would win. We should have all prayed for them — we’re religiously one,” said student Tahir Bhat.
While the match was underway, streets and markets on both sides of the border were empty as young and old watched the action and some fans painted their faces in the colours of their national flags. In New Delhi, cinemas abandoned movies and screened the match instead.—Reuters
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