Fans become friends, break barriers

Cricket fans from Pak and India had found new friends, writes Naziya Alvi.

At the end of the Kotla ODI, cricket fans from Pakistan and India had found new friends.

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Rawalpindi resident Raja Sajid's new friend is a 10-year-old Indian, who had been sitting next to him. "This child became my friend after a brief conversation. He wanted me to cheer for India; and he wanted me to be sad because his favorite cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, got out early.

Finally, we both decided to cheer for good cricket and not for our countries. When Pakistan won the match, this clever kid made me treat him to an ice-cream," said Sajid with a grin.

An Indian fan went out of the stadium to bring water for Anwar. "The heat was becoming unbearable. A teenager sitting next to me asked about my health. I said I needed water. After 20 minutes, he was back with two bottles of chilled water," said Anwar. The gesture is something Anwar will cherish for a long time to come.

Mohammed Amir, who travels with the Pakistani team for almost all tours, says cheering in India was special. "The similarities in our culture and languages make cheering for our teams interesting. We were teasing each other the way a groom's and bride's families tease each other at weddings," said Amir.

Ayyaz, a Lahore resident, said it was a proud moment for every Pakistan fan. "It is different to share the trophy and different to take it home," he said.

Anil Soni, a jeweler from Pakistan, watched the match with his relatives at their home. He gave his ticket to his Indian cousin, RK Soni. "As India lost the match, it was no fun for me. But Pakistan won and my Pakistani cousin has to treat me," said RK Soni.

"I am happy because Pakistan team has rubbed egg on the faces of those who thought the fate of the series had been decided even before it had started. Pakistan's victory has given a shut-up call to all those who have wrong notions against them," said Saleem Swaleh, a cricket fan.