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Chetan Sharma recalls his century
Former Indian Test player Chetan Sharma, among the spectators at the fifth match, fondly recalled his lone ODI century at Green Park.
Former Indian Test player Chetan Sharma, among the spectators at the fifth India-Pakistan one-dayer here Friday, fondly recalled his lone one-day century at the Green Park in 1989.
"I remember I was batting from the pavilion side when the last ball was about to be bowled with India needing one run to beat England and I was on 99," Sharma, in Kanpur as an expert for a news channel, said.
"(England captain Graham) Gooch bowled the last over and he made some changes in the field before the last ball. But I drove the ball through cover for a boundary and India won and I got my century," said the pace bowler who once partnered the legendary Kapil Dev.
India might have won that league match of the Nehru Centenary Tournament, but the home team failed to reach the final. The Pakistani team led by Imran Khan eventually won the tournament.
Pakistanis rejoice
The 1,000 odd Pakistani fans, who have come to this Uttar Pradesh city for the fifth India-Pakistan one-dayer, made their presence felt by shouting slogans and cheering their team.
Shouts of "Jeeo, jeeo Pakistan" could be heard from the fans, sitting in their makeshift tent and waving their national flag as they enjoyed the kebabs and chicken being sold just behind their gallery.
Shukla remembers the Pakistan tour
In keeping with the mood of amity, a local group, the Jagat Narain Tiwari Organisation (JNTO), organised an India-Pakistan Friendship Convention Thursday night. Journalists from the two countries were present as were Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajeev Shukla and umpire K. Hariharan.
Shukla recalled India's historic tour of Pakistan last year in glowing terms and how some players were apprehensive about touring the country, particularly after an attempt was made on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's life some days before the tour was to start.
"Without taking their names, I tell you that some players started calling me from Australia (where India was touring) and expressing their doubts and apprehensions about touring Pakistan," Shukla, also a member of parliament, disclosed.
"But when I met the same players in Lahore, where I had gone to watch the one-dayers, they were extremely happy with the reception and hospitality that they received in Pakistan."
