The excitement of the India-Pakistan cricket team meeting each other in a knock-out match at Mohali is affecting not only the Indian sub-continent but also the Tanzanian capital. On the second floor of Haidari Plaza in the centre of town the Red Onion restaurant was buzzing with cricketing activity.

With the Indian, Pakistan and Turkish Ambassadors cheering along with a lot of Indian and Pakistani citizens residing here rooting on every shot, the fall of every wicket and living out the Mohali excitement play out live on a flat screen television.

“Madam please pick up a plate, for all you know Sachin might hit a six seeing you eat,” said one of the 50 people watching the action.

With Sachin on the crease there was hushed silence, but the fall of every wicket and every boundary saw the hall erupt in to ruptures.

Indian High Commissioner K.V. Bhagirath, who plays for the Ministry of Externals, said “I hope it is an exciting match which we win in the end.”

Pakistan High Commissioner Tajammul Altaf added it was immaterial who won or lost but this is the start of a new phase in bilateral relations.

“We decided to organise a get together as soon as we knew the match will be played and Prime Minister Gelenai accepted the invitation,” said Shakeel Ansari, Chairman, Pakistan Social Community, the brain behind the event, who also plays cricket with a local club Pak Star.  

The event, which is being organised gratis, with a lavish spread of paneer korma, mixed vegetable, barbeque and chicken curry along with naan , saw a mini-sub-continent like environment being created. The only missing link was the absence of women and children. “The women are busy in the house and the children are in school,” explained one of the watchers without taking the eyes of the television set.

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