Dubai: It was not to be Imran Khan, the new Pakistan Prime Minister, who was speculated to be in attendance for the India-Pakistan match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, but the Asia Cup match between the arch rivals was witnessed by Indian politician Sharad Pawar.
Incidentally, Sharad Pawar was not only the MCA (Mumbai Cricket Association) and Indian cricket board president but also chaired the game’s highest governing body—ICC.
Pawar was introduced to both the teams before the match.
“We were the guests and were invited by the Dubai Sports City owner, Mr. Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni”, said his wife, Pratibha Pawar, speaking exclusively from her hotel room, on Thursday morning.
“We were at the match from first to last ball. We left the ground just minutes before the presentation. We enjoyed the match”, she added.
The match was easily won by India thanks to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kedhar Jadav’s spell of three wickets each. Rohit Sharma’s half century lead team to a comfortable eight wicket win.
Interestingly, Sharad Pawar left for Abu Dhabi with one of the top businessmen and was scheduled to leave for India from there, whereas Pawar’s wife was to leave for India from Dubai.
Pawar was not scheduled to watch Thursday’s Bangladesh-Afghanistan match in Abu Dhabi. Reports from Pakistani media were doing rounds claiming the newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan was expected to watch the match.
The arch rivals faced each other for the first time in the United Arab Emirates since 2006. Incidentally, Imran was the captain of Pakistan for the better part of the Indo-Pak duels in Sharjah from the mid 80’s to early 90’s.
The group stages have come to an end and India is facing Bangladesh next in the first Super Four fixture of the tournament.
