By Fakir Hassen
Johannesburg, Sep 18 (IANS) With most fans busy with special Ramadan prayers, there was only a small crowd to cheer Pakistan’s powerful performance in securing a 33-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 World Championships Group F clash at the Wanderers Stadium here Monday.
The numbers were definitely lower in comparison to the crowd during the India-Pakistan match in Durban last Friday.
The stands were largely empty Monday, attributed by organisers to the fact that the game was being played about the same time when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast. The match was still on at the time Muslims engage in special prayers later in the evening.
For some diehard fans though, even Ramadan was not going to stop them from seeing their team in action. Many who were fasting were seen taking a break at sunset to enjoy the food being shared by those who had brought it in picnic baskets.
A few spread their prayer mats on the grass verges and behind the stands.
Despite the smaller numbers in the stands, the Pakistani fans were very vocal, loudly cheering almost every ball bowled. The loudest cheer though was reserved for Pakistani captain Shoaib Malik when he acknowledged the brave performance by their opposition at the presentation ceremony.
Pakistani flags could be seen all over the stadium, with even the odd Indian tricolour among them as the subcontinent’s expatriate fans showed the spirit of camaraderie that has marked the tournament so far.
Sri Lankan flags, noticeably being waved more by women fans, were fewer and far between.
Pakistan made 189 for six wickets in the allocated 20 overs after being asked to bat first and then restricted Sri Lanka to 156 for nine in 20 overs.
This was Sri Lanka’s first defeat in the championships.