Between 2 and 9 Saturday morning, a TV audience larger than the opening ceremony of the Olympics will watch India play Pakistan in the Cricket World Cup in South Africa. The two nations have not played in three years due to the undeclared state of war between the two countries. Pakistan will be eliminated if India wins. India recently beat Australia, the only country to do so in years. India features Sachin Tendulkar, the finest batsman in the world. Sachin was in correspondence with Sir Donald Bradman, the legendary Aussie who batted 302, not out, in 1931 against England for the Ashes. That record still stands. The old Aussie took Sachin under his wing, giving him tips on how to deal with the media. Sachin is the Bradman of the 21st century. He has gone into seclusion and will not give interviews during the Cup. Chicago sports fans can watch it at the K.C. Coffee Shop at 766 W. Jackson. Formerly Baba's Place, it is the Pakistani hangout in Chicago. Don't try to get a cab in Chicago late on Saturday night; the Pakistanis will be watching the match. Baba's was the only place in Chicago with squat toilets. I ate there many times and watched the 1999 Cricket World Cup there. I have always been well treated even though I am the only patron who is not Pakistani or Nigerian. If you want to get their goat try the mutton curry; it is excellent. There is a mosque in the basement. Baba sells cigarettes for 25 cents each while barking out orders in Urdu. I will try to be there around 7:45 and watch it for an hour before Japanese class. The place will be going nuts. I called Baba to confirm the times.
I was born in India but moved to America when I was 2. I don't really follow Cricket all that mcuh and Even I'M highly interested in this match. For a bit more prespective. Wehn India lost to Australia in this world cup players' likeness were burned in effigy. Their houses were hit with oil and other stuff. The Players' family had to be escroted by police. Here in America, Indian families are having parties for this match. Students get together to buy a sataletile dish and order the macth on TV. In India, the entire country will be at a standstill for all 6 horus of the match. If India loses...I have no idea what would happen but it wouldn't be good. India would rather lose the World Cup than lose to Pakistan.
And well done to Dish Network getting exclusive rights to the tournament and offering it on PPV but only selling it in one package? :S 300 bucks or nothing. I know its their perogative to sell it for what they want - but it seems to me a direct way to fleece Indian, Pakistani and W Indian people in America by paying for a lot of things they can't (or don't want to) watch. I certainly would have ordered a few a la carte matches for 20 or 30 bucks - but now I've ordered none cause I cant shell out 300.
People interested could call their local Indian or Pakistani restaurant and ask about places that might have it on TV. I have been to India 6 times, Pakistan 3 times, and other nearby places, always as a tourist. It is very difficult for me to choose sides in this game. But this will be a game let me tell you. Pakistan has one of the greatest bowlers in the world. I grew up on the south side of Chicago: Avalon Park, Grand Crossing and Beverly. Cricket was unknown there and still is. But it has always been played at the University of Chicago, not far away. My late father went to Lords in 1964 on his only European vacation to make inquiries on behalf of hislittle son asking about crikcet and soccer.
Which is what makes it such an interesting match. In Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid, and Sehwag you have battsman who can hit for 150+ at any time....are you Indian? I was born in Tenali, India, near Vijyawada. Which is SE of Hyderabad
I work with a bunch of Indians and they are all pumped up about this match. They're going to stay up all night watching it.
I am not Indian. I have Irish-Catholic ancestors. I know where Hyderabad is. Have not been there but have bee in Cochin.